The downward momentum has continued in the local beef trade, with the best quotes at 586p for a U-3 grade steers and at 590p/kg for U-3 grade heifers.
For those able to get cattle killed, 4 to 6p more is available to regular suppliers, although that still leaves prices paid another 10p back on what was being paid last week.
Last weeks’ reported prices show that only top grading steers and heifers averaged over the 600p/kg mark, with U3 steers down 12.1p to average 601p/kg and U3 heifers back 6.4p at 603.2p/kg.
Across all steers and heifers, the prices paid last week averaged 592.3p/kg, down over 10p on the previous week.
That is a reduction of 50p/kg since the start of February and over 80p behind this time last year.
At last week’s Balmoral Show, there was a lot of discussion around where prices might eventually settle, with some suggesting it could be 570p/kg and others going as low as 550p/kg for U-3 cattle.
Slaughtering
The falling market has encouraged more cattle to come forward for slaughter, and last week’s kill of 9,713 head was the largest since early February.
But with factories reporting slow sales and on a four-day kill in some cases, there is a significant wait to get animals processed.
Some factory agents report being fully booked until the second week of June.
Britain
The market in Britain is also under pressure again this week, with reports of another 10p/kg coming off factory quotes.
Last week, prices paid were down by 5 to 10p/kg, which leaves the gap to NI prices at around 10p/kg.
In the Republic of Ireland, factory quotes have dropped by another 10c/kg this week, which puts prices there about 20 to 30p/kg behind NI, dependent on grade. The trade in cattle coming in from the south for slaughter in NI continues to be subdued, with 288 imported last week, while 39 cattle were moved in the opposite direction.
Cows
The best quote for a fat cow is now at 498p/kg for an O+ animal. Prices paid have fallen, with an R3 grade cow averaging 524.3p/kg last week, down by 5.4p, with O3 cows down 6.4p at 497.2p/kg and P2 cows down 2.4p at 467.4p/kg.
Life in spring lamb trade
The trade for spring lambs trade remains strong with the best lambs in the marts making over £200.
In the plants, best quotes are at 910p/kg or £191.10 at the 21kg limit, with a little more available at a push.
In Gortin, lambs at 24.5kg made £200 or 816p, with 23kg at £192 or 892p. Lighter lambs at 21kg made £190 or 904p a kg.
In Kilrea, a strong trade saw lambs hitting £207.50 or 922p/kg for 22.5kg with £198 or 921p/kg for 21.5kg. Others at 21kg sold to £201 or 957p/kg with £192 or 937p/kg for 20.5kg.
In Markethill, lambs at 19.9kg made £189.50 or 952p/kg with 21.4kg at £193.50 or 904p/kg. Heavy lambs at 24kg made £201 or 838p/kg with 24.8kg at £200 or 807p/kg.
Hoggets sold to 729p for 24.5kg at £178.50 with 708p for 24kg at £170.
Saintfield saw lamb prices reaching £200 for 27kg with £197 paid for 24kg and 21kg at £187. Very heavy hoggets reached £203 for 34kg.
In Ballymena, lambs at 19.5kg made £180 with 21.5kg at £195 and 22.5kg at £200.50
Fat ewes
In Gortin, best ewes sold from £204 to a top of £308.
In Kilrea, the top was £256 and in Markethill the best fleshed ewes sold from £190 to £270.
In Saintfield, the top was £280 with a run from £200 to £262. And in Rathfriland good ewes made £258.
The downward momentum has continued in the local beef trade, with the best quotes at 586p for a U-3 grade steers and at 590p/kg for U-3 grade heifers.
For those able to get cattle killed, 4 to 6p more is available to regular suppliers, although that still leaves prices paid another 10p back on what was being paid last week.
Last weeks’ reported prices show that only top grading steers and heifers averaged over the 600p/kg mark, with U3 steers down 12.1p to average 601p/kg and U3 heifers back 6.4p at 603.2p/kg.
Across all steers and heifers, the prices paid last week averaged 592.3p/kg, down over 10p on the previous week.
That is a reduction of 50p/kg since the start of February and over 80p behind this time last year.
At last week’s Balmoral Show, there was a lot of discussion around where prices might eventually settle, with some suggesting it could be 570p/kg and others going as low as 550p/kg for U-3 cattle.
Slaughtering
The falling market has encouraged more cattle to come forward for slaughter, and last week’s kill of 9,713 head was the largest since early February.
But with factories reporting slow sales and on a four-day kill in some cases, there is a significant wait to get animals processed.
Some factory agents report being fully booked until the second week of June.
Britain
The market in Britain is also under pressure again this week, with reports of another 10p/kg coming off factory quotes.
Last week, prices paid were down by 5 to 10p/kg, which leaves the gap to NI prices at around 10p/kg.
In the Republic of Ireland, factory quotes have dropped by another 10c/kg this week, which puts prices there about 20 to 30p/kg behind NI, dependent on grade. The trade in cattle coming in from the south for slaughter in NI continues to be subdued, with 288 imported last week, while 39 cattle were moved in the opposite direction.
Cows
The best quote for a fat cow is now at 498p/kg for an O+ animal. Prices paid have fallen, with an R3 grade cow averaging 524.3p/kg last week, down by 5.4p, with O3 cows down 6.4p at 497.2p/kg and P2 cows down 2.4p at 467.4p/kg.
Life in spring lamb trade
The trade for spring lambs trade remains strong with the best lambs in the marts making over £200.
In the plants, best quotes are at 910p/kg or £191.10 at the 21kg limit, with a little more available at a push.
In Gortin, lambs at 24.5kg made £200 or 816p, with 23kg at £192 or 892p. Lighter lambs at 21kg made £190 or 904p a kg.
In Kilrea, a strong trade saw lambs hitting £207.50 or 922p/kg for 22.5kg with £198 or 921p/kg for 21.5kg. Others at 21kg sold to £201 or 957p/kg with £192 or 937p/kg for 20.5kg.
In Markethill, lambs at 19.9kg made £189.50 or 952p/kg with 21.4kg at £193.50 or 904p/kg. Heavy lambs at 24kg made £201 or 838p/kg with 24.8kg at £200 or 807p/kg.
Hoggets sold to 729p for 24.5kg at £178.50 with 708p for 24kg at £170.
Saintfield saw lamb prices reaching £200 for 27kg with £197 paid for 24kg and 21kg at £187. Very heavy hoggets reached £203 for 34kg.
In Ballymena, lambs at 19.5kg made £180 with 21.5kg at £195 and 22.5kg at £200.50
Fat ewes
In Gortin, best ewes sold from £204 to a top of £308.
In Kilrea, the top was £256 and in Markethill the best fleshed ewes sold from £190 to £270.
In Saintfield, the top was £280 with a run from £200 to £262. And in Rathfriland good ewes made £258.
SHARING OPTIONS