Quotes for fat cattle are unchanged this week, with a best quote of 632p for steers and 636p for U-3 grading heifers.

The actual prices being paid remain well ahead of starting quotes, with farmers reporting 656p to 658p/kg is generally available to regular suppliers. With finished cattle numbers remaining tight, anyone with a load of cattle to sell is in a strong position to negotiate slightly more.

Last week, the price paid for U3 steers was virtually unchanged at an average of 656.1p/kg, although U3 heifers were up 1.9p/kg at 657.7p/kg. Across all steers and heifers, prices averaged 649p/kg, up 0.2p on the previous week and the sixth week in succession that prices have increased.

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ROI trade

In the Republic of Ireland (ROI) prices came back slightly in sterling terms last week, with R3 steers down 5.9p at 656.6p/kg and R3 heifers down 3.8p at 660.2p/kg. However, those prices still remain between 3.2p and 7.6p/kg ahead of NI.

That differential has significantly impacted trade in ROI cattle coming north for direct slaughter. Last week 198 were brought in.

While that total was significantly up on the 80 head from the week previous, it is worth remembering that around 1,000 head per week were being imported last autumn for slaughter in NI.

Britain

In Britain, the trade is generally steady, or edging up in some cases. Average prices paid are broadly in line with NI, so there is no incentive to ship finished cattle across the Irish Sea. Scotland remains 10p to 20p/kg ahead of England in prices paid for prime cattle.

Cows

Fat cow quotes at the plants are steady this week ranging from 520p to 540p for an O+ cow.

However, significantly more is available, with the price paid for O grading cows last week averaging over 550p/kg, up around 10p on the week.

The prices paid for R grades continue to average over 570p/kg.

Trade in ROI remains very strong and around 50p/kg ahead of NI for O and P grades. Of the 74 NI cattle sent south last week for direct slaughter, most were cull cows

Top quotes on hold for NI lamb

Quotes at some plants for lambs have eased but the best quote is steady at 690p/kg deadweight making a lamb worth £144.90 at 21kg.

In the marts, prices for fat lambs are mostly steady with store lamb prices a strong trade.

In Gortin, heavy lambs at 27.1kg made £156 or 575p/kg.

Lambs at 23.1kg made £143.50 or 621p/kg. Lighter lambs at 21kg made £150 or 714p/kg.

Kilrea sold 1,300 lambs making from 644p to 712p/kg, no change for heavier sorts. The top prices were paid for store lambs with 712p for 17kg at £121. Fat lambs at 24kg made 708p/kg or £170 a head with 22kg at 677p/kg or £149.

Markethill had a steady trade with 1,430 lambs making from 620p to 674p/kg. Store lambs were a strong trade with 862p paid for 15.2kg at £131 and 852p for 11.5kg at £98.

In Saintfield, 1,045 lambs made from 610p to 720p/kg, down by 10p on last week. Texels at 24kg made £200 with 27kg at £169.

In Ballymena, early lots at 27kg made £176 or 652p/kg with 24.5kg at £156 or 637p/kg. Lambs at 22kg made £135.50 or 616p/kg with 20kg at £129 or 645p/kg.

Fat ewes

A strong trade in Gortin saw the best ewes making £244 with a run from £160 to £230.

In Kilrea the top was £258 and in Markethill, the best ewes sold from £170 to £272 with plain sorts from £120 to £160. In Saintfield the top was £210.