Beef prices have come under some downward pressure again this week, with 2p, and in one case 4p, taken off base factory quotes. However, it is not the 10p/kg drops that was threatened last week, after some decided that only a small drop in price was warranted.

This puts the best plant at 352p, with others on 350p and the worst at 348p for U-3 grade clean cattle. Despite base quotes at 352p to 354p/kg last week, regular suppliers of in-spec cattle were still able to achieve prices up to 366p/kg.

The quotes are on an all-in basis for in-specs, with the well-established range of penalties applying to out-of-spec cattle.

According to factory buyers, beef sales are slow and product is starting to build up in chills. Some have moved to a three-day week, which will inevitably take some pressure off to pay higher prices to secure supplies. To alleviate a build-up of stocks, it is hoped that retailers do some promotion on beef in the run up to Easter. The weak euro is also making beef from Ireland and continental Europe attractive to wholesalers and food service customers, and putting pressure on prices for British origin product.

Factory owners also maintain that they are being squeezed at present, with some describing their current losses as unsustainable.

Imports

The number imported for slaughter from the south last week was 619 head. Exports to the south were 259 head. The total kill of 8,736 was down slightly on the previous week – the cow kill of 1,562 the lowest for six weeks.

The prices paid last week were also down, with steers averaging 347.7p/kg, down 2.3p/kg, and heifers at 350.8p, down 1p/kg. Top-grading heifers still averaged over 360p/kg. The fat cow trade remains steady and the market for R and O+ grade cows is from 250p to 260p/kg. R3 grading cows averaged 272.2p/kg last week.

Hoggets

Hogget quotes this week are up by 10p to 410p/kg at the plants. With a degree of scarcity, farmers should be looking for 415p.

In the marts, numbers were similar to last week. On prices, some marts were up and others were down compared with the previous week.

Last Saturday, Omagh had a show of 778 hoggets selling from 345p to 395p, down 7p for heavier weights.

This week, in Kilrea, a show of 530 hoggets sold from 362p to 397p, up 6p to 24p/kg.

Massereene had a bigger show with 912 hoggets making from 360p to 392p, down 5p to 8p/kg.

Saintfield, Tuesday, sold 525 hoggets from 356p to 410p, up by 3p to 10p/kg.

The trade in fat ewes remains strong with prices in Omagh to £142, Kilrea to £138, Massereene to £133, Saintfield to £119, and Rathfriland to £135.

A pen of eight spring lambs in Rathfriland made 380p/kg.