There is a positive note to the beef trade again this week, with more farmers reporting a sharper edge to prices.

While the shorter kill week has helped to keep more of a lid on prices, there has been some upward momentum as the week progressed.

Factories are officially quoting 350p to 354p/kg, but the reality is that processors are working from a base of 358p/kg on U3 grading cattle.

Cattle are moving at this level, with reports of 360p/kg being freely offered midweek. Farmers with bigger numbers to offload have managed to secure 362p/kg, with 364p to 366p/kg going for more regular finishers.

At the top end of the market, there have been a few reports of 370p/kg being paid on in-spec steers and heifers, but these would be limited to larger finishers and include premiums based on supply agreements.

Prices for young bulls meeting market spec range from 360p to 365p/kg, depending on numbers being offered, with plainer bulls moving closer to base prices.

Demand for manufacturing beef is underpinning prices for plainer cattle, with O grading animals selling around the 350p/kg mark.

Prices in Britain have also strengthened on the back of tighter numbers and improved demand for manufacturing beef. Indications are that U3 cattle are moving from a base of 380p to 385p/kg this week, while cull cow prices have risen beyond the 300p/kg mark.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers increased 2p/kg to 351.48p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers was 363.3p/kg, with U3 heifers making 366.1p/kg.

Cows

Factory demand for cull cows is growing as prime cattle numbers tighten. Quotes on O+3 cows is 290p/kg, with R3 grading cows on 300p/kg. However, deals are being made well ahead of quotes with up to 320p/kg paid on good-quality animals.

Hogget trade

Official quotes at the plants are steady this week, but, with a strong trade in the marts, deals are available at higher prices. Top quote is 505p/kg, making a 22kg hogget worth over £111.

Most marts had smaller shows and hoggets were in demand from southern buyers.

At Kilrea, 600 hoggets made from 451p to 513p/kg, down from 11p to 20p/kg on last week.

Massereene had a reduced sale of 806 hoggets and prices rose. They made from 460p to 536p/kg, which was up by 10p to 16p/kg on last week.

In Saintfield, 502 hoggets sold from 453p to 600p/kg, unchanged for the main weight ranges, although very high prices were paid for light lambs.

In Rathfriland, a show of 610 hoggets ranged from 431p to 546p/kg and averaged 467p/kg, up by 10p/kg on last week. Top price was £125 for 26kg. Hoggets at 23kg made £110 to £112.

The fat ewe trade is very strong, with increased top prices at the Monday and Tuesday marts. Top was £126 in Newtownstewart and £120 in Omagh. In Massereene, top was £147; in Saintfield was £120; and in Rathfriland was £130 – these marts were up £10 on last week.

Store lambs in Ballymena, Monday evening, made from £68 to £74.50 for Lleyn, crossbreds and Suffolks. The best in-lamb ewes made £130 and £125 for Mules. The best ewes with twin lambs at foot made from £170 to £215.