The beef trade looks set to finish the year on a positive note, as prices and base quotes continue to edge upwards.
At the upper end of the market, 2p/kg has been added to base quotes, which now stand at 432p/kg for U-3 animals.
Towards the bottom end of the quotes, a 4p/kg increase brings the lowest base to 418p/kg at some plants this week.
However, where applicable, this continues to curtail the prices for Angus cattle, as premiums are paid on top of official base price.
The general consensus is that supplies of prime cattle continue to tighten, with increasing reports of cattle agents contacting finishers looking for stock.
Several farmers report that in order to bridge the gap in supply, factories are asking for cattle originally scheduled for killing in January to be brought forward into December.
The balance of power has firmly tipped in favour of farmers who have a good supply of in-spec cattle to offload over the next month.
With factory agents anxious for stock, there are higher prices to be had. Steers are moving off farm at 446p/kg to 448p/kg, with free transport being factored into some deals.
Others with bigger numbers report 450p/kg is widely available to keep pace with the live ring.
Heifers are also on similar prices, with isolated reports of butcher-type animals making upwards on 460p/kg, although this relates to very small numbers.
Last week, the average price paid across all steers and heifers jumped by 3.25p/kg to 433.75p/kg.
On U3 cattle, steers rose by 3.9p/kg to 448.4p/kg, with heifers rising 2.9p/kg to average 448.7p/kg.
Cows
The cow trade is benefitting as prime cattle numbers tighten, with processors looking to cull cows to help maintain throughput. Base quotes on R3 animals sit on 350p/kg, but there is significantly more on offer for younger animals with higher levels of conformation with an average price of 369.4p/kg paid last week.
NI sheep: fewer lambs sharpens demand
Marts across Northern Ireland have seen fewer lambs offered for sale this week on the back of ice and snow making hazardous travelling conditions.
Prices have improved as a result, with £3 to £5 more on offer. Plants have raised quotes 5p/kg to 540p/kg, but, in reality, base price is 540p/kg, with deals of 545p/kg and 550p/kg paid.
In Kilrea,740 lambs sold from 474p to 500p/kg, no change on last week. Massereene sold a small show of 439 lambs from 478p to 508p/kg, up 17p/kg on last week. Lambs at 24kg made £122, 22kg at £111, 23kg at £116 and 25kg made £124.
In Saintfield, 388 lambs sold from 480p to 520p/kg, up 10p/kg on last week. Heavy lambs at 26.8kg made £118.50, 26kg and 24.5kg to £118, 24kg to £116, 23kg to £112 with 21.7kg to £104.
Rathfriland sold 257 lambs from 468p to 490p/kg, with the sale average on 480p/kg, down 12p/kg on last week.
In Ballymena, lambs at 21kg made £103, 22kg to £107, 22.5kg to £110, 24kg to £119 with 26.5kg at £120.
Ewes
The trade for fat ewes is steady. In Kilrea, top price was £130. Massereene sold to £140 for Suffolks, £120 for Rouge, £100 for Texels, £90 for Charollais and £80 for Mules.
In Saintfield, top price was £177, with others from £116 to £170. Rathfriland topped £140 for ewes.
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