The beef trade has come under further price pressure, with factory base quotes cut by 2p/kg, leaving quotes at 324p to 330p/kg. Farmers also face delays of up to two weeks in getting animals slaughtered.

Steers and young bulls processed earlier this week were typically paid 334p to 336p/kg. Heifers are faring better, with regular finishers killing bigger numbers securing higher prices.

In the live trade, top-quality U grade steers and heifers are in demand and offer finishers with limited negotiating power an alternative outlet.

Prices being paid are typically 190p/kg to 200p/kg at the top end of the market. At a 55% to 57% kill-out, this converts to beef prices ranging from 344p/kg to 350p/kg.

However, plainer cattle are in less demand, with the mart trade returning 170p/kg to 180p/kg, putting it closely in line with current factory prices.

Lambs

Lamb prices have steadied on a base of 435p/kg and 440p/kg. Mart managers report an increase in throughput this week, which has seen prices holding at levels similar to last week and in line with factory prices.

NI cow kill down 15% on 2018

Despite an increase in cow slaughterings over the last few weeks, the latest DAERA statistics highlight a significant drop in the throughput of cull cows being processed at beef plants in NI this year.

Over the first five months of the year to the week ending 8 June, 37,761 cows have been slaughtered at local plants, which is down from 44,710, or 15% on the same period last year.

The drop in cow throughput is due to a combination of factors, including high culling rates in 2018 on the back of higher numbers of dairy cows and low margins in sucklers.

Prime cattle

While cull cow numbers are down, the availability of prime cattle is running ahead of last year.

For the period from 1 January to 8 June, there were 156,185 prime cattle processed at local plants. Over the same period last year, the number of prime cattle processed was 150,908. The current prime cattle kill is at its highest level since 2013.

Carcase weight

Along with an increase in prime cattle supply, carcase weights are also higher year on year. Figures from the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) show that steers slaughtered in April and May averaged 359.6kg, up from 350.3kg in the same period last year.

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