Farmers with cattle to sell are in a strong position to negotiate on price as cattle agents remain eager to source numbers.

Some processors are resorting to familiar tactics to try and put a cap on prices by increasing the numbers of imported slaughter-fit cattle from Britain.

Others are trying to talk the trade down with suggestions of increasing supplies or moving to a four-day week.

However, most indications are that supplies of finished cattle remain tight. A similar situation exists south of the border as well as in Britain, where prices are also firm.

The trade is benefiting from growing demand for manufacturing beef, benefiting prices for prime cattle, as well as out-of-spec animals and cull cows.

Factories have increased their official base quotes by 2p to 4p/kg, bringing them to 362p to 366p/kg for U-3 cattle.

Farmers indicate that 366p to 368p/kg is freely available, with most cattle moving from 370p to 372p/kg.

Farmers with a good supply of steers are securing 374p to 376p/kg, with heifers moving from 372p to 380p/kg.

Farmers with slaughter-fit suckler-bred bulls are reporting prices of 372p to 376p/kg for animals under 16 months of age and below 400kg.

There have been some reports of 380p/kg being offered were farmers have a regular supply of these animals to offload over the coming weeks.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers rose by 1p/kg to 361.75p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers rose by 3p/kg to 373.7p/kg with heifers holding steady at 374p/kg.

With increasing demand for manufacturing beef, the cull cow trade has also seen improved prices on offer. Factory quotes remain on 300p/kg for an R3 animal, with O+3 quotes on 290p/kg.

Deals on offer range from 300p to 320p/kg, with the average price paid on R3 cows last week at 318p/kg.

Spring lamb trade

With more spring lambs on offer, processors have made further cuts to their quotes. Quotes, mid-week, were at 500p, but are at 470p/kg for the end of this week. And, unfortunately, the prospect is for another cut next week. At 470p/kg, a 21kg lamb will bring a return of £98.70.

The supply of lambs going through the marts has increased and there is a big reduction in demand from the factories in the south. As a result, prices are well down.

Kilrea sold 200 spring lambs from 471p to 513p/kg, down by 24p to 40p/kg on last week.

Massereene sold 496 lambs making from 450p to 495p/kg, down by 65p to 80p/kg.

In Saintfield, a big show of 566 lambs made from 415p to 470p/kg, down by 55p to 85p/kg on last week.

In Rathfriland, 434 lambs averaged only 422p/kg, down by 92p/kg or £20 a head on last week.

Lisahally prices were well back with best lambs in the range £95 to £100 and a top price of £103.

The fat ewe trade is still good with some increases in top prices. Swatragh sold 123 head to a top of £98. In Omagh, top was £120 for 264 sold. In Massereene, the top was £126 and in Saintfield, it was £100. Rathfriland sold 111 head to £99.