The beef trade appears to have steadied this week, with most farmers reporting prices and deals similar to last week. However, demand for both prime cattle and cows remains strong, with factory agents eager to secure numbers.

Quotes have increased at some plants by 2p/kg, bringing the range of base prices on prime cattle to 360p to 366p/kg for U-3 animals. This has closed the differential between base quotes and prices on offer slightly. But the reality is that farmers remain in a strong position when selling cattle and should be pushing for the best price possible.

Farmers report that cattle are moving from a starting price of 366p/kg for those with limited numbers, while more regular sellers are still securing 370p/kg with relative ease on steers and heifers.

At the upper end of the market, there are deals being made as far as 10p/kg above base, which puts cattle to 372p to 375p/kg, but this is mostly limited to finishers with a steady supply of cattle for sale.

Last week, the average price paid for steers and heifers rose by 4p/kg to 358.78p/kg. The average price for U3 steers was 369.9p/kg, with U3 heifers averaging 370.2p/kg.

The weekly kill totalled 8,272, down by almost 400 head on the previous week. The annual kill now stands at just over 185,000, an increase of 4,000 head on last year, reflecting the strong demand for beef this year.

Cattle imported from the Republic stood at 246 head, with 235 animals moving in the opposite direction, as demand for cattle in Ireland grows.

Cows

The cow trade has strengthened again this week, with quotes rising by 10p to 15p/kg, with processors now on 275p to 280p/kg for O-3 animals. R grade cows are on a base of 285p/kg, but farmers are securing 300p/kg or better for quality animals.

Lamb trade

The market for spring lamb has come off its recent peak and plants have reduced their quotes by 10p and 20p/kg to a base of 470p to 460p/kg. Numbers in the marts were lower, but prices weakened, with drops of 40p/kg at the start of the week and 20p/kg by midweek.

At Kilrea, 345 lambs sold from 427p to 450p/kg, down by 40p/kg on last week.

Massereene sold 612 lambs from 420p to 454p/kg, down 40p/kg.

Saintfield sold 452 lambs at 420p to 460p/kg, down by 20p/kg on last week.

In Rathfriland, a moderate show of 553 lambs made from 410p to 456p/kg and averaged 433p/kg, back by 20p/kg. Southern buyers were very active and paid £95/head for 21kg, £99/head for 22kg and a top of £101 for 23.6kg. Lighter lambs from 21kg to 22kg made from £82 to £88/head. One seller took £97.50 for his 22kg lambs this week. Last year, he took £75.50 for similar lambs.

The trade for fat ewes is still strong and top prices were maintained, even though the marts had big shows. Ewes sold to a top of £103/head in Newtownstewart for 190 head sold; to £92.50 in Swatragh for 200 head; to £99 in Omagh; to £87.50 in Kilrea; and to £101 in Massereene. In Saintfield, 136 ewes sold to a top of £90. Rathfriland sold 89 head to £81.