The beef trade is on a steady, but firm, footing with the Christmas rush finishing last week and farmers selling cattle indicate little change to prices.

Base quotes have increased by 2p/kg at one plant, closing the gap to price deals on offer.

The top quotes for U-3 grading cattle now stand at 368p/kg, although most plants are officially quoting 366p/kg.

While factory agents are trying to keep a lid on prices, farmers pricing between plants have found better deals on offer, particularly for in-spec heifers.

The live ring is also providing strong competition for heavy fleshed animals.

Prices continue to run from 210p to 230p/kg on good quality cattle, which at 57% kill-out is the equivalent of a beef price ranging from 380p to 400p/kg.

Price reports on steers start around 372p/kg for farmers with limited numbers, rising to 376p/kg for more regular sellers with deals on transport available.

Higher price deals are reserved for specialised finishers on weekly kill arrangements.

Farmers selling heifers report deals from 376p/kg to 380p/kg for in-spec animals, with additional premiums on offer for butcher type animals.

Last week, the average price paid across all grades of steers and heifers slipped by 0.9p/kg to 366.6p/kg. However, prices paid on U3 steers rose by 0.7p to 378.3p/kg with U3 heifers up 1.4p to 381.4p/kg.

Throughput

Factory throughput across all cattle types totalled 9,513 head last week, with prime animals accounting for 6,800 head, making it the lowest prime kill since early September. Cow throughput stood at 2,501.

Imports of Irish cattle for direct slaughter at Ni plants fell by 42 head to 441, of which 242 were prime cattle and 199 cull cows.

No cattle were shipped from NI to Britain, but 33 cows were imported for slaughter.

Cows

Quotes for cows are steady on 265p/kg for R3 animals, but report from farmers indicate 285p to 295p/kg is available for good quality animals.

Lamb trade

Factory quotes are steady this week at 465p/kg payable to 22kg deadweight, making lambs worth £102.30. In the marts, the number of lambs on offer are tailing off and prices paid are steady.

The trade in Kilrea saw 620 lambs making 423p to 462p/kg, no change on last week for heavier lots. Fed lambs at 24kg made £102 to £103/head. Lighter lambs at 21.5kg made £94 and £95 with19kg at £87.

Massereene had 620 lambs sell from 425p to 468p/kg, up 5p/kg on last week.

In Saintfield, 585 lambs sold from 425p to 500p/kg, no change on last week. Heavy lambs over 26kg sold from £106 to £110/head. Lambs at 24kg and 25kg made £102 to £104 with 22kg at £94 to £98/head. Store lambs at 17kg made £86.

In Rathfriland, 400 lambs sold from 424p to 488p/kg, with the sale average 449p/kg down by 1p/kg on last week.

Ewes

The trade in fat ewes remains steady with good top prices for fleshed ewes. Swatragh sold ewes to £145, Kilrea sold to £120 and Massereene to £136. At the Tuesday sales, Saintfield sold ewes to a top of £116 and rams to £136 with Rathfriland selling to £135/head.

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