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Positive signs continue to emerge within the beef trade, as prices slowly edge upwards.
Prices are also improving in the Republic, albeit from a very low base, as processing demand grows and supplies coming on the market tail off.
In Britain, supplies of finished cattle are running just below demand, underpinning prices of 455p/kg to 465p/kg for U3 animals, depending on the region, with Scotland leading the market.
At local plants, there are signs that numbers are tightening. Cattle agents indicate they are getting enough numbers to fill orders, but concede they are sourcing stock from a greater number of farms just to maintain throughput.
But looking forward, there are some agents expressing concerns about the availability of finished cattle in the new year.
Processors have left base quotes unchanged, which leaves the best quote for U-3 grading animals on 428p/kg this week.
Price deals on steers are marginally ahead of last week, with most reports indicating 442p/kg is more widely available. Transport is also being offered in lieu of higher prices.
Heifers are generally moving around 446p/kg, although there have been multiple reports that 450p/kg is being paid to regular finishers handling bigger numbers.
Young bulls are also benefitting as numbers start to tighten with 436p/kg to 438p/kg being paid for animals meeting carcase weight limits.
Last week, the average price paid across all steers and heifers rose by 0.6p to 429.25p/kg.
On U3 cattle, steers eased by 0.5p to 441.3p/kg with heifers jumping 1.4p/kg to average 445.2p/kg. Young bulls at the same grade averaged 433.5p/kg.
Cows
The weekly cow kill has seen record numbers being processed over the past month, putting price under pressure.
However, this trend seems to be turning and prices for cows are again edging upwards.
Quotes for R3 animals sit at 350p/kg, but deals are running between 360p/kg and 370p/kg.
NI sheep: sharp rise in fat lamb prices
The sheep trade is benefitting from a vibrant live trade, driven by competition from buying agents for southern plants.
Mart prices are up 20p to 30p/kg, leaving factories with no option but to increase prices.
Quotes are up 15p/kg to 530p/kg, but this is still falling short of what is on offer. Regular finishers are commanding 540p to 545p/kg.
In Kilrea, 800 lambs sold from 473p to 553p/kg, up 13p/kg for heavier lambs. Lambs at 21kg made to £108, 22kg to £110, 23kg to £113, 24kg to £117 with 25kg at £119.
Massereene sold 648 lambs from 490p to 522p/kg, up 30p/kg on last week. Lambs at 23kg made £120, 24kg to £124 and 24.5kg at £124.50. Heavy lambs were up by from £7 to £9.
The trade in Saintfield saw 545 lambs make 495p to 560p/kg, up 32p/kg for heavier lambs. Lambs at 27kg made £128, 24kg to £124 and 22kg to £112. Light lambs at 20kg made £105.50, with 17kg at £98.
Rathfriland had 503 lambs sell from 468p to 541p/kg, with a sale average of 500p/kg, up 20p/kg on last week.
In Ballymena, there was a strong trade for heavier lambs. Lots at 26.5kg to 29.5kg made £124 to £130, up £8 to £10. Store lambs are a firm trade with the best Texel lots making £90 to £98.50.
Ewes
Fat ewes are steady. In Kilrea, top price was £162. Massereene sold to a top of £134 for a Suffolk ram. Suffolk ewes made £124, with Texels to £116 and Mules to £100.
In Saintfield, top prices were £262, £251 and £244, with others from £128 to £180. In Rathfriland, ewes topped £226.
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