There is still plenty of positivity within the beef trade, despite plants coming to the end of the Christmas kill schedule.

Cattle agents indicate that processing demand looks set to remain strong during December, as factories want to maintain throughput at capacity levels to have adequate stocks in storage for January.

Elsewhere, the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in England is already leading to a rise in demand from the food service sector, bringing further competition into an already buoyant market.

With cattle agents indicating supplies are tightening, and steady processing demand, farmers are in an extremely strong selling position.

Deals are being offered on all types of cattle to guarantee a steady supply of animals. Along with price, deals on weight limits and transport are also negotiable at present.

As such, farmers with prime cattle to sell should consider all options available when marketing stock.

Last week, the price paid across all grades of steers and heifers rose by 3.4p/kg to an average of 367.7p/kg

Base quotes remain on 366p/kg for U-3 grading animals, although this falls well short of prices currently on offer.

Farmers report deals of 374p to 376p/kg for steers, with 380p/kg being paid where bigger numbers are on offer.

Prime heifers are moving off farm from 378p to 380p/kg, with reports of 386p/kg for farmers offering a steady supply of in-spec animals over the coming weeks.

Last week, the price paid across all grades of steers and heifers rose by 3.4p/kg to an average of 367.7p/kg.

For U3 grading steers, prices rose by 2.8p/kg to an average 377.6p/kg with U3 heifers up 1.9p to 380p/kg.

Growing demand within food service has seen a rise in Irish cattle being imported for direct slaughter at NI plants. Last week, imports rose by 150 head to 483.

Cows

Although base quotes are unchanged at 265p/kg for R3 cows, processing demand for cull cows is improving.

Farmers report prices of 290p to 300p/kg becoming more common again, while the average price paid on an R3 animal rose by 8.5p to 293.3p/kg.

Lamb trade

Factory quotes have increased by 15p/kg to 465p/kg, although 470p/kg is also being offered, making lambs worth £103.40 at the 22kg weight limit. In the marts, prices paid were steady on Monday, but picked up on Tuesday.

Trade in Lisahally was quieter compared with last week

In Kilrea, 300 lambs sold from 425p to 536p/kg, unchanged on last week. Lambs at 22.5kg to 23.5kg made £99.5 to £103.50, with lots at 21kg making £93.

Massereene sold 1,026 lambs from 420p to 461p/kg, no change on the week.

In Saintfield, 606 lambs sold from 426p to 493p/kg, up 4p/kg for heavier lots.

Trade in Lisahally was quieter compared with last week. The main run of lambs made from £100 to £105, with meal-finished lambs averaging 25kg at £102.

In Rathfriland, 600 lambs sold from 420p to 542p/kg, averaging 450p/kg, a rise of 9p/kg on last week.

Store lambs in Ballymena were a good trade, with the top lots selling from £77 to £89/head.

Ewes

The trade in fat ewes is steady, with solid prices for fleshed lots. Swatragh sold ewes to £112, with Kilrea to £119 and Massereene to £123. At the Tuesday sales, Saintfield had a top price of £163 with Rathfriland at £125.