The beef trade starts the new year on a steady footing, with processing plants in Northern Ireland leaving base quotes unchanged.

This keeps U-3 grading cattle on 326p to 330p/kg. However, official quotes are falling well short of those being offered to farmers.

Reports from farmers selling cattle this week indicate that 336p/kg is widely available as a starting price for steers and on young bulls that meet market specification on carcase weight and age.

While there is little scope to negotiate for higher prices on bulls, farmers offloading prime steers are managing to secure deals of 340p to 344p/kg.

Angus-bred cattle are moving north of 380p/kg for animals once all available premiums are factored in

Farmers with a good supply of heifers report that deals are being made from 346p to 350p/kg at the upper end of the market.

Angus-bred cattle are moving north of 380p/kg for animals once all available premiums are factored in.

Supplies of cattle and processing demand are finely balanced and while some factory agents indicate that fewer cattle are required in January, farmers are experiencing little difficulty in booking animals for slaughter.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers averaged 335.75p/kg, down by 0.7p/kg on the previous week

Other buying agents indicate supplies of finished cattle will tighten in the weeks ahead. They are therefore offering improved price deals now in order to secure a steady supply of animals in the coming weeks.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers averaged 335.75p/kg, down by 0.7p/kg on the previous week.

The average price paid on U3 grading steers was 340.4p/kg, with U3 grading heifers averaging 346.9p/kg. Young bulls at the same grade averaged 331.1p/kg.

Finished cattle prices for the EU averaged 338.8p/kg for U3 grading steers, with U3 grading heifers averaging 344.8p/kg.

Cows

There are signs of more life in processing demand for cull cows, despite base quotes holding steady on 260p/kg for R3 grading animals, with O+3 cows on 250p/kg.

However, farmers report deals of 280p/kg being available on good-quality continental cows this week.

Hogget trade

The new year trade for hoggets has got off to a positive start. Factory quotes have increased by 20p/kg, putting the best quote on 420p/kg payable to 22kg arcase weight, making a hogget worth £92.40.

Prices paid in the marts are also rising, with growing demand from southern buyers.

Heavy lots at 26kg to 29kg made £96 to £100

Kilrea had a show of 600 hoggets making from 368p to 446p/kg, up by 21p to 49p/kg on the pre-Christmas sale.

Massereene had a show of 926 hoggets making from 380p to 420p/kg, up by 20p to 31p/kg on the previous sale. Heavy lots at 26kg to 29kg made £96 to £100, with 25kg lots at £95. Lighter weights were a strong trade, with 20.5kg to 23kg lots making from £86 to £94.

In Saintfield, 801 hoggets sold from 379p to 446p/kg, up by 31p/kg for heavier lots.

Rathfriland had a show of 525 hoggets selling from 384p to 408p/kg, with the average at 384p/kg, up 16p/kg on their previous sale.

A good show in Lisahally saw a choice pen making £97.50/head, with the next-best pens from £92 to £97.

Ewes

The fat ewe trade is very strong, with top prices surpassing the £100 mark.

The top in Omagh was £113 for 150 head sold.

In Swatragh, ewes sold to a top of £101/head.

In Massereene, ewes topped £140, while in Kilrea, ewes made £131 and in Saintfield, top was £115.

In Rathfriland, strong bidding resulted in ewes topping out at £136/head.

Read more

UK beef and lamb consumption cause for concern

Beef price update: trade stuck in low gear