A remarkable turnaround in the beef trade in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) since early October has helped to underpin the prices paid for cattle in Northern Ireland.

Reports suggest deals for U-3 grading prime cattle in NI are now into the low 660s, which is the highest they have been for nearly six months and 20p/kg ahead of what was being paid in July.

In ROI, tight numbers and the normal increased demand that comes with factories looking to fulfil Christmas orders, has put the sterling equivalent of 30p to 40p/kg on to prices since the start of October.

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It has meant that a gap of around 20p/kg to NI prices is now a price advantage of 15p to 20p/kg in the other direction.

That has left ROI prices similar to those on offer in Britain - Irish beef processors argue it is a position that cannot be sustained.

Cows

In the cull cow trade, ROI prices have been ahead of NI through the autumn, although a difference of around 20p/kg in early October is now a gap closer to 60p/kg.

Local reports suggest big numbers of dairy culls are coming forward this

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