The quotes for clean cattle have edged up by 4p/kg at two of the main factory outlets in NI, leaving the best for U-3 steers at 600p and for U-3 heifers at 604p/kg.

Reports from farmers suggest the prices on offer this week have also increased, with 608p to 610p/kg available, especially for heifers.

The immediate outlook is reasonably positive, with factories stating into Christmas kills from the end of the month.

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Last week, the average price paid for U3 steers was up 2.2p at 606.9p/kg, with R3s increasing by 2.9p to average 604p/kg.

Heifers were up by a similar amount, with U3 grades averaging 609.1p and R3s at 605.5p/kg.

Across all steers and heifers, prices paid averaged 600.7p/kg, up 5p on the previous week and the first time that these prices have crossed the 600p/kg mark since the start of August.

Numbers

The total cattle kill continues to run about 6% down on last year, although analysis by the Livestock and Meat Commission suggests there are more beef cattle in the system.

On 1 September there were 109,802 beef cattle on farms aged 24 to 30 months, which is up 16% on last year.

Of these, nearly 60% are heifers, so it possible that a sizeable number are destined for breeding.

In the 18- to 24-month bracket, the number of beef cattle is down slightly on last year at 135,358 head.

Prices paid in Britain have been rising gradually since the start of July and have increased by around 25p/kg over that period.

Last week’s prices were generally up by 3p to 4p/kg, mainly due to an increase in English prices. U and R grades in England now sit around the 620p/kg mark, while Scottish prices remain over 630p/kg.

In the Republic of Ireland, the trade is steady, leaving prices paid around 35 to 40p/kg behind NI when VAT is excluded.

The trade in cattle coming north for direct slaughter last week was 460 head, up from 391 in the previous week and the highest weekly import since March. No cattle were sent in the opposite direction.

Cows

The quotes for fat cows are steady, with a best of 510p for an R grade and 500p for an O+ animal.

The price paid last week for R3 cows increased by 7.7p to 535.7p/kg.

NI sheep: factory quotes rise

Factory quotes for fat lambs have increased to 685p for 21.5kg deadweight, putting a lamb to £147.25 at the weight limit. Trade is also up in the marts.

In Gortin, lambs at 28kg sold for 657p and 621p/kg or £184 and £174 respectively. Middle weights at 24kg sold to 600p or £149, with 23kg at 645p or also £149. Store lambs made from £127.50 to £132.

In Kilrea, store lambs reached 714p/kg for 18.5kg at £132 and 680p for 19.5kg at £132.50. Lambs made 684p for 22.5kg at £154 and 673p also for 22.5kg at £151.50.

In Markethill, lambs sold to 716p/kg for 25.5kg at £182.50, with 658p for 24kg at £158. Quality mid-weights sold to 690p/kg for 20kg at £138, with 687p for 23kg at £158.

Store lambs were firm, selling to 767p/kg for 15kg at £115.

In Rathfriland, 25kg lambs made £160 or 640p, with 24kg at £150 or 625p and 22.5kg at £143.50 or 638p/kg. Stores reached £115 for 15.8kg or £728.

In Ballymena, lambs at 25kg made £153 or 612p, with 24kg at £157.50 or 656p/kg and 22kg at £137 or 623p/kg.

Fat ewes

In Gortin, the top fat ewes made £205 and in Kilrea the top sold for £222. In Markethill, the best ewes made from £130 to £180, while in Rathfriland the highest prices were £236, £232 and £226/head.