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The beef trade has steadied, but prices remain on an extremely firm footing. Base quotes are unchanged from last week, which keeps U-3 grading steers and heifers on 376p to 378p/kg.
For the same week last year, base quotes on U3 animals ranged from 326p to 334p/kg, although most animals were moving at the upper end.
Applying the 44p/kg differential to a 380kg steer carcase means cattle are currently generating an additional £167 compared with the equivalent animals processed last year.
Reports from farmers selling cattle this week indicate there are plenty of price deals on offer.
However, the general consensus is that such deals are similar to previous weeks.
Where bigger loads of steers can be offered, particularly on a regular arrangement, reports indicate 388p to 390p/kg is being paid
This keeps steers and young bulls moving off farm around 384p/kg for animals meeting specifications on carcase weight, conformation and age.
Where bigger loads of steers can be offered, particularly on a regular arrangement, reports indicate 388p to 390p/kg is being paid.
Heifers are also moving off farm around the 388p to 390p/kg mark, with 394p/kg reported from finishers killing on a more regular arrangement.
Cattle being processed through premium breed schemes are being bought in line with base quotes and when premiums are applied, there are animals crossing the 400p/kg barrier.
Last week, the average price paid across all grades of steers and heifers rose by 2.7p to 377.82p/kg
Cattle supplies are finely balanced with processing demand and cattle agents are in regular contact with finishers to keep animals coming forward.
Last week, the average price paid across all grades of steers and heifers rose by 2.7p to 377.82p/kg. For U3 grading steers, prices rose by 2.2p/kg to an average of 386.9p/kg.
Heifers at the same grade increased by 1.4p to 389.8p/kg, with a sharp increase in the region of 12p/kg for young bulls on 379p/kg.
Cows
Despite no movement on base quotes, processors are keen to source good-quality cows. R3 grading animals remain on a base of 275p/kg, but deals of 300p to 320p/kg are being offered to regular finishers.
NI sheep: hogget trade steadies
The live trade for finished hoggets slowed at the start of the week, but has since steadied.
Factory quotes slipped to 520p/kg, making hoggets worth £114.40 at the 22kg weight limit.
In Kilrea, prices ranged from 475p to 504p/kg, down 20p/kg on last week.
Heavy hoggets at 28kg sold to £118, 25.5kg made £116, with meal-finished Blackface types at 23kg making £103.
In Massereene, prices of 480p to 505p/kg were down 20p/kg on the week.
In Saintfield, hoggets made 460p to 534p/kg, up 6p to 14p/kg on last week. Top price was £120 for 27kg, 25kg made £119, 23kg made £110 and 22kg made £109.50.
In Rathfriland, prices hit 455p to 508p/kg with a sale average of 485p, up by 5p/kg. Ballymena sold store hoggets to £95.
Ewes
Fat ewes continue to sell beyond £100. Kilrea sold to £163, with Massereene to £116. Saintfield sold ewes to £165, with the main run from £92 to £127. In Rathfriland, the top was £196.
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