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There are few positives to be found in the beef trade this week, as processors have again cut base quotes on prime cattle.
With sales of beef still extremely slow, factories require fewer animals to meet orders and with strong supplies coming on to the market, cattle agents indicate that waiting times to get animals processed are at least two weeks.
Base quotes are down 2p to 6p/kg and now range from 322p to 328p/kg. With an oversupply of cattle at present, farmers have little scope to negotiate for higher prices.
Steers are moving at the outlined base prices, with little more than 332p/kg being reported for more regular finishers.
Heifers are a better trade, as supplies are less widely available compared with steers.
But prices appear to be capped in the mid-330p/kg price range.
Young bulls are moving from 328p to 330p/kg. Supplies coming on to the market are increasing week on week as farmers look to offload animals before they exceed the 16-month age limit.
For the same week last year, young bulls were moving at 364p/kg, giving a price differential of £129 on a 380kg carcase, excluding the increased finishing costs from higher concentrate prices.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers fell 2.3p to 330.63p/kg.
The average price paid on U3 steers fell by 5p/kg to 336.4p/kg, with U3 heifers down by 6.6p to 342.8p/kg.
Current prices being paid on prime cattle are now on par with July 2016 levels.
Prices in Britain and the Republic of Ireland are also on a downward trend.
Last week, R4L steers in Britain fell by 4p/kg to 346.5p/kg, with heifers down 3.1p to 346.4p/kg.
Cull cows
The trade for cull cows is hardening, with one plant adding 5p/kg to base quotes, bringing R3 grading animals to 260p/kg, while O+3 cows are now on 250p/kg.
Lamb trade
The lamb trade has taken a knock, with quotes at the plants back by 20p/kg. The best quote is on 415p/kg, making a lamb worth £87.15 at the 21kg weight limit. Mart prices are also down, with Rathfriland on Tuesday evening down 33p/kg on average.
In Kilrea, 450 lambs sold from 380p to 389p/kg, down by 30p/kg for heavier lambs to 60p/kg for lighter sorts.
In Massereene, 675 lambs sold from 380p to 389p/kg, down by 20p to 60p/kg.
In Saintfield, 505 lambs made 360p to 400p/kg, down by 36p/kg on last week.
The trade in Rathfriland was back and 757 lambs made 340p to 404p/kg, with an average of 378p/kg, down by 33p/kg on last week, making a 23kg lamb worth £87.
Ewes
The fat ewe trade is good, with the best top prices at £100 and more. Omagh sold to a top of £100/head and in Swatragh, top was £129. In Massereene, the top was £117 and in Kilrea, it was £90. In Saintfield, ewes sold to a top of £85 and in Rathfriland, the top was £93.
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