There are few positives in the beef trade this week, with base quotes being eased by a further 2p/kg.

This puts the range of base quotes for U-3 grading cattle on 312p to 320p/kg.

Cattle agents continue to report that supplies of finished steers and heifers are plentiful, with farmers facing a waiting period of 10 to 14 days to get animals processed.

While base prices eased, most plants are still working from a starting base of 318p to 320p/kg for prime animals.

Cattle are moving freely at this level and reports of higher prices are limited to farmers with bigger numbers of in-spec animals for sale.

Farmers offloading steers are struggling to better 320p/kg, but where deals are being made, there is little more than 2p to 4p/kg on offer for more regular finishers.

Heifers

Heifers are moving in the low 320p/kg price range, with regular finishers reporting 326p/kg on offer at the upper end of the market.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers fell by 5p/kg to 317.01p/kg.

The average price paid on U3 steers fell by 3.6p to 323.5p/kg, with U3 heifers down by 4.8p to 328.8p/kg.

While prices are down, they are running ahead of the EU average of 321.6p/kg for U3 steers and 326.8p/kg for U3 heifers.

Imports of slaughter cattle from the Republic of Ireland totalled 242 head, bringing the year-to-date figure to 8,101, compared with 2,614 for the same period last year.

Exports of NI cattle to slaughter plants in Britain amounted to 18 head, with just 191 cattle exported this year compared to 1,662 last year.

Cows

The cow trade is generally steady, but the availability of cull cows is increasing as more dairy cows are coming on to the market.

Base quotes for R3 cows are 250p/kg to 260p/kg, with O+3 cows starting from a base of 235p/kg.

Lamb trade

Lamb quotes are steady this week, with 365p/kg on offer at local plants. This makes a lamb worth £76.65 at the 21kg carcase limit. The trade in the marts has eased, as competition from buyers for southern plants eases due to factory blockades.

In Kilrea, 520 lambs sold from 310p to 318p/kg, down by 6p/kg for heavy lambs and by 15p/kg for lighter sorts.

In Massereene, 1,002 lambs made from 310p to 339p/kg, no change on last week.

In Saintfield, 834 lambs made from 300p to 373p/kg, down by 15p/kg for heavier lots, but up by 9p/kg for lighter store lambs.

Rathfriland had a show of 850 lambs making from 300p to 350p/kg with a sale average of 320p/kg, down by 8p/kg on last week. Good-quality slaughter-fit lambs made £77 to £78, with lighter lambs selling from £66 to £70/head.

Ewes

Ewe prices are firm, with well-fleshed lowland types making good prices. The top price in Omagh was £81. Swatragh sold ewes to a top of £126 for a show of 647 head. In Massereene, the top was £120 96 and in Kilrea, it was £88, with ewes in Saintfield making £95. In Rathfriland, top price was £92, with the main run at £75 to £85/head.

Store lambs in Ballymena made £60 to £70 for Texels. The best Suffolks made £66 with others at £64/head.

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