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Tight supplies mean the beef market has turned in the last week, with farmers reporting that 330p/kg is widely available across all plants, with more on offer for bigger numbers of in-spec steers and heifers.
Base quotes are on 322p to 324p/kg, up 4p to 8p/kg on last week. However, with supplies of finished cattle extremely limited, deals of 10p/kg above quotes are being offered for young bulls and steers, putting these animals in the low 330p/kg price range.
Where a steady supply of in-spec heifers can be supplied, prices are more typically 340p/kg. It has been reported that wholesalers have paid up to 350p/kg for butcher type heifers.
Prices for R and U grading cows are also on the rise, with up to 285p/kg paid at the top of the market.
With forecasts predicting supplies of finished cattle to remain tight over the coming months, there is scope for prices to continue to edge upwards.
Strong mart trade
The resumption of cattle sales at livestock marts across NI has seen good buying demand for fat cattle.
Ballymena Mart had an entry of 280 cattle at its beef sale on Thursday with bullocks peaking at £1,575 for a 735kg Limousin, with Friesian bullocks selling to £1,435 for an 820kg animal.
Bullocks typically sold from 195p to 210p/kg for good quality U grading types, with plainer cattle selling upwards from 170p/kg.
Beef heifers sold to £1,226 for a 610kg Parthenaise, with fat cows peaking at £1,310 for a 720kg Limousin. Heifers generally sold from 180p to 215p/kg depending on weight and quality, with cows making 130p to 175p/kg.
In Keady, forward stores were also met with strong buying demand from specialist finishers with prices on quality lots regularly passing the 200p/kg mark.
On Monday, Omagh Mart sold forward stores to £1,300 for a 650kg bullock. Weanlings are an excellent trade with 220p to 250p/kg paid.
Clogher had over 400 cull cows and drop calves on Saturday with just four animals going unsold. Buyers were extremely competitive for young beef bred cows, paying 160p to 180p/kg, with exceptional lots achieving more.
Swatragh also resumed its cattle sales this week with light stores in demand, and bullocks selling to 258p/kg and heifers making 235p/kg.
Sheep
Hoggets sold to £106.50 at Swatragh for 28kg lots with spring lambs making £98 to £102, with similar prices on offer at Kilrea on Monday of this week.
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