The cattle trade has steadied this week, with all bar one plant leaving base quotes unchanged. Official quotes for U3 cattle typically range from 350p to 352p/kg, with one plant reducing its base to 344p/kg.

Supplies of finished cattle are still running ahead of demand, keeping processors in control of the market.

Cattle agents indicate they have adequate cattle booked for next week. Farmers who finish cattle less frequently continue to face delays in getting cattle booked for slaughter.

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However, with all plants now working on a five-day week, the backlog in cattle supplies is being reduced.

Farmers with limited numbers are being offered 352p to 354p/kg for steers and young bulls.

Prices for heifers are faring slightly better. Deals of 354p to 358p/kg are being offered to finishers with bigger numbers to offload.

At the top end of the market, finishers offloading cattle on a regular basis are securing up to 360p/kg.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers fell by more than 4p/kg to 352.22p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers fell by 4p/kg to 358.2p/kg, with U3 heifers down by 1p/kg to 363.4p/kg.

While prices for U grade cattle have fallen, prices for R and O grading steers have not followed the same downward trend.

Prices for R grading steers were higher than U3 steers, according to LMC price reports, with R3 cattle making 361.3p/kg and R4 cattle averaging 362.4p/kg.

The average price on O3 cattle was 357.1p/kg. The higher prices paid on lower-grading cattle is reflective of the strong throughput of shed-finished cattle coming from specialist beef finishers.

Cows

The cow trade has slowed as increased numbers, mostly from the dairy herd, come on to the market. Quotes for O+3 cows are 270p/kg, with R3 cows on 280p/kg.

Lamb trade

The lamb trade has steadied this week after the recent fall in price. Quotes at the plants are 395p to 400p/kg, making a lamb worth £84 at the 21kg limit.

In the marts, although the number of lambs on offer was higher than last week, prices recovered slightly on Monday and Tuesday. By Tuesday evening in Rathfriland, with a smaller show, prices increased by 15p/kg or £4/head.

In Kilrea, they sold 420 lambs from 348p to 362p/kg, up by 3p/kg on last week.

Massereene sold 1,005 lambs making from 365p to 392p/kg, up by 5p/kg.

In Saintfield, a show of 977 lambs made from 353p to 389p/kg, up 5p/kg on last week.

At Rathfriland, a show of 660 lambs sold from 343p to 392p/kg. The overall average was 369p/kg, up by 15p/kg on last week. Per head, they were up by £4 with 24kg at £90 and 21kg to 22kg at £75 to £78.

Lisahally had a very good trade. The main run of 21kg to 22.5kg lambs made in the range £81 to £83/head.

Fat ewes

The fat ewe trade remains firm, although top prices were back at most marts. Top price in Newtownstewart and Omagh was £96. Swatragh sold 365 head to a top of £94. Top in Kilrea was £85 and in Massereene, the top was £100 for a big sale of 325 head. Saintfield sold to £90. In Rathfriland, they sold 319 head to £104.