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There are small positives to be found within the beef trade this week, which will be welcomed by farmers with cattle to sell.
Base quotes are steady, with U-3 grading cattle remaining on 318p to 328p/kg.
However, some plants added 2p/kg to quotes and the general consensus coming from farmers is that steers and bulls are moving from a base of 326p/kg.
Deals are being made above base, but most farmers report there is little more than 2p to 4p/kg on offer unless bigger numbers are being offloaded on a weekly basis.
Farmers offloading young bulls report similar price deals are on offer for animals meeting market specification on carcase weight and age limits.
Heifers are faring best and moving freely from a starting price of 328p/kg.
However, farmers report that cattle agents are keener to secure numbers and, as such, there is more room to negotiate on price.
Deals are running from 2p to 4p/kg over base, with higher prices for regular finishers selling bigger numbers.
Another positive emerging this week is that the delays on booking animals for slaughter appear to be shortening.
Farmers booking cattle this week report a waiting period of around seven days on prime animals.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers was 325.28p/kg.
It is the first time since late May that the official price report recorded an increase on the average price paid for prime cattle.
Tighter supplies of prime heifers saw prices rise by 1.2p to an average of 337.1p/kg.
However, the average price paid for U3 steers fell by 2.9p to 329.3p/kg.
Cows
The cow trade remains steady, with plants leaving base quotes unchanged.
This keeps R3 grading animals on 260p/kg, with O+3 grading animals on a top quote of 255p/kg.
Price deals of 10p to 15p/kg over base are being offered on good-quality continental types and younger cows.
Last week, the average price paid on R3 cows was 272.9p/kg, reflecting higher-priced deals for good-quality animals.
Lamb trade
There are plenty of lambs on offer to the plants and quotes are under pressure. The best quote is at 380p/kg, down 10p/kg, making a lamb worth £79.80 at the 21kg weight limit. Further price cuts may be made before the weekend.
Some marts were closed for the holidays, but where marts did open, prices were down on previous weeks. On Monday, Massereene was down and in Rathfriland on Tuesday evening, prices fell by 23p/kg.
On Saturday, Swatragh sold 1,000 lambs from 340p/kg and upwards, with light stores making up to 464p/kg.
In Kilrea, 650 lambs made from 348p to 373p/kg. In Massereene, 806 lambs sold from 345p to 366p/kg, down 3p/kg for heavier lambs and down by 18p/kg for lighter sorts.
In Rathfriland, prices paid on 623 lambs ranged from 338p to 370p/kg. The average price was 353p/kg, down 23p/kg on last week. Top prices were £82 to £84 paid for heavy lots weighing 27kg to 29kg half-weight. Lambs at 22kg sold from £76 to £78 with 21kg at £74 and £75.
Ewes
The fat ewe trade is steady, with well-fleshed ewes making £100/head and more. Swatragh sold to a top of £114 for 400 head. In Massereene, top price was £100 for 165 sold. In Rathfriland, the trade was very good for 189 head with a top of £115. Others sold from £100 to £103, with a big run from £90 to £98.
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