After a sustained period of price pressure, there are early signs that the beef trade is starting to harden for prime cattle.

Several farmers report that cattle agents are much more active in sourcing prime heifers, with some agents contacting finishers directly to secure numbers over the past week.

With agents keen to source animals, they have been much more flexible when negotiating on price and farmers with a steady supply of animals coming on to the market have room to bargain for an improved deal.

Base quotes are holding relatively steady on 330p to 334p/kg for U-3 grading animals. However, there is a gap opening between base quotes and price deals on offer.

Prime heifers are moving freely at 338p to 340p/kg, with deals of 342p and 344p/kg being reported at the upper end of the market for more regular finishers.

Farmers have indicated that heifers are moving to slaughter within one to two days of booking date, such is the limited availability at present.

Steers are moving from 336p to 338p/kg, with deals of 340p/kg on offer for more regular finishers. Deals beyond this are mainly reserved for larger, specialist finishers.

While prices are hardening on prime cattle, out-of-spec animals remain a difficult sell. Unlike prime animals, there is little scope to bargain on price, with many farmers just happy to offload these cattle after facing lengthy delays in getting animals slaughtered.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers was down 0.7p to 330.37p/kg. However, the average price paid on U3 steers increased by 2p to 339.2p/kg, with U3 heifers rising more than 3p to 345.5p/kg.

Cows

The trade for cull cows has steadied after some upward momentum last week, although the higher base quotes merely closed the gap to the prices on offer. Quotes for R3 cows are steady on 245p/kg, with O+3 animals on 235p/kg.

Hogget trade

With signs of scarcity, the hogget trade has strengthened again in the marts and processing plants have to react to keep pace.

The best factory quote is at 450p/kg, making a hogget worth £99 at the 22kg carcase limit. The first factory quote for spring lamb is at 500p/kg. However, higher deals are available for both hoggets and spring lambs.

On Monday, Kilrea sold 380 hoggets making from 417p to 474p/kg, up by 15p to 25p/kg on last week.

Massereene sold 529 hoggets from 410p to 442p/kg, up by 20p/kg.

Saintfield sold 544 head from 405p to 450p/kg, up by 25p/kg.

Rathfriland had a very good trade for 190 hoggets making from 390p to 452p/kg, and averaging 400p/kg, up by 8p/kg. Top was £109, with many making over £100.

Rathfriland sold 35 new-season lambs from 444p to 486p/kg for 21kg and 22kg, averaging 476p/kg. Top per head was £110.

Ewes

The fat ewe trade is very firm, with good top prices. The top in Omagh was £113 and in Swatragh, it was £133. The top in Massereene was £116 and in Kilrea, it was £100. In Saintfield, top price was £100. In Rathfriland, the top prices were £109 and £108, with a big run from £100 to £105.

In Ballymena, the best Suffolk ewes with twin lambs at foot made £246 for the outfit, with Texels to £222 and crossbreds to £220. Springing ewes made to £250. Pet lambs made up to £43 each and store hoggets made to £82.50.