Base quotes on prime cattle continue to rise in response to the growing scarcity of factory-fit stock.

Such is the urgency for cattle, plants have added anywhere from 8p to 12/kg to quotes this week, bringing base price for U-3 grading animals to 342p/kg.

Farmers continue to report they are getting plenty of enquiries from agents that are anxious for stock.

Along with prime cattle, there is growing demand for animals sourced from the dairy herd and cull cows.

With farmers in a strong position to negotiate, reports indicate that 344p to 346p/kg is widely available as a starting price, with 350p/kg on offer.

Finishers offloading cattle on a regular basis are faring best, with prices of 350p to 360p/kg reported, although bigger numbers of in-spec animals are needed for such prices.

Such is the urgency for cattle, plants have added anywhere from 8p to 12/kg to quotes this week

Where farmers face difficulty negotiating on price, the live trade is returning prices well ahead of those on offer at meat plants.

Over the past week, sales of slaughter-fit stock and short-keep stores benefitted from fierce competition between specialist finishers and wholesalers.

Prices for U grading steers and heifers ranged from 200p to 230p/kg, which at 57% kill-out equates to a beef price of 350p to 403p/kg.

Last week, the average price paid across all grades of steers and heifers rose by 8p to 330.84p/kg, reflecting just how hungry cattle agents are for stock.

While the average price paid on U3 steers rose 6p to 337.7p/kg, there were bigger increases for other types of cattle.

The average paid on heifers jumped by more than 11p/kg to 343.4p/kg, with young bulls up 12.5p to 338.1p/kg. R grading cows rose 8p to 276.8p/kg.

Cows

Quotes on cows continue to rise, with plants adding 15p/kg to base price. This puts R3 grading animals on 270p/kg, but deals are running well ahead of base quotes.

Lamb trade

The market for spring lambs has strengthened, with 10p/kg added to quotes. Base price now stands at 510p/kg, making lambs worth £107.10 at the 21kg weight limit.

In the marts, more lambs are on offer, but prices are improving as the hogget supply has finished. On Saturday, Swatragh sold 350 spring lambs from 454p to 523p/kg, up by 24p/kg on last week for heavier lambs.

On Monday, Kilrea sold 250 spring lambs from 500p to 541p/kg, up by 40p to 50p/kg on last week.

Massereene sold 310 spring lambs from 490p to 553p/kg, up by 30p to 40p/kg on last week. The top price was for 20kg at £110.50, with 21kg lots making £114. Lambs at 22kg made £117. Heavies at 24kg to 26kg made from £119.50 to £121/head. Lighter lambs at 21kg made from £106.50 to £110.50/head.

Rathfriland sold 495 spring lambs from 500p to 550p/kg, with the average on 508p/kg, up by 10p to 15p/kg on last week.

Ewes

Fat ewes are a good trade, with improved top prices in most marts. Omagh sold ewes to £118 and Swatragh sold to £147. In Kilrea, ewes made £109. In Massereene, the top was £136 for Texels, £119 for Suffolks, £89 for Mules and £61 for Blackface. In Rathfriland, the top price was £118/head.