Supplies of finished cattle are more widely available, as more farmers look to offload animals out of the shed.

With numbers easier to come by, cattle agents are looking to keep a lid on the trade and the price deals offered in recent weeks are much harder to secure.

That said, where farmers are digging in or looking to sell in the live ring, factory agents are reluctant to miss out on cattle and have increased price offers.

With more shed-finished animals currently on the market, there are some signs that numbers could tighten again next month.

As such, processors are trying to manage throughput with the aim of stretching supplies into June.

Most farmers indicate that 388p to 392p/kg is widely available on in-spec animals

Most farmers selling cattle indicate there is a wait of at least one week between booking animals and moving them off farm.

When it comes to base quotes, there are mixed signals coming from processors. While some have cut quotes to 364p/kg for U-3 grading animals, others remain on 378p/kg for cattle at the same conformation.

Last week, the average price paid across all grades of steers and heifers eased by 0.49p to 382.12p/kg

Most farmers indicate that 388p to 392p/kg is widely available on in-spec animals. Higher prices are available, mostly reserved for regular finishers, and include bonus payments on supply agreements.

Last week, the average price paid across all grades of steers and heifers eased by 0.49p to 382.12p/kg.

For U3 grading cattle, steers slipped by 0.7p/kg to an average 392.6p/kg, while heifers increased by 0.5p to 394.2p/kg. Young bulls fell 0.8p to 383.8p/kg.

Last week’s cattle kill totalled 8,871, of which 7,078 were steers, heifers and bulls, making it the highest weekly throughput of prime cattle for the year to date.

Cows

Demand for cull cows is robust, with an exceptionally strong live ring for good-quality suckler types. Quotes on R3 cows are holding on 290p/kg, with O+3 animals on 280p/kg. But deals of 320p/kg and above are available for good numbers of young suckler-bred cows.

NI sheep: lamb prices still rising

Lamb prices in the marts increased this week, as demand from southern buyers strengthens. Factory quotes are steady at 640p/kg, but farmers report 660p/kg is available.

In Kilrea, lambs made 616p to 653p/kg, up 6p/kg on last week.

In Massereene, lambs sold from 615p to 650p/kg, up 5p/kg on last week. An outstanding Texel at 24kg made £155, with 24kg to 26kg lots from £146 to £149. Lambs at 23kg made £148.50, 21.5kg at £139 and 19kg at £121.

The trade in Lisahally was strong, with southern buyers prominent

In Saintfield, lambs sold from 596p to 650p/kg. Top prices of £147 and £150 were paid to 25kg. Lambs at 23kg made £144, up £3 on last week. Lambs at 21kg made £133, with 20kg selling to £128.

The trade in Lisahally was strong, with southern buyers prominent. Lambs at 21.5kg made £135 to £139, 22kg at £140 and 22.5kg at £147.

The trade in Rathfriland was slightly easier, as 440 lambs made 600p to 683p/kg, with a sale average of 634p/kg, down 14p/kg on last week.

Ewes

The trade for fat ewes is still strong, with well-fleshed lots making good prices.

Kilrea sold to £182 and Massereene to £141 for Charollais and £140 for Suffolks.

In Saintfield, top was £180, with a big run from £120 to £170, and in Rathfriland, top price was £175.

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