There is little change in the beef trade this week, as factory quotes hold firm at 460p/kg for U-3 grading cattle.
Prime cattle remain highly sought after and while processors want to keep a lid on the trade, factory agents are having to be flexible on price in order to lock in supplies.
The live trade continues to strengthen and continues to underpin the trade. Where farmers are not under movement restrictions, it is providing them with a strong marketing alternative when offloading cattle.
Prices of 280p to 300p/kg are widespread around the live ring on good-quality, short-keep and slaughter-fit cattle, which converts to finished prices well above 480p/kg.
Most farmers selling cattle direct for slaughter indicate that deals are broadly on par to last week.
This puts steers on 474p to 476p/kg for the majority of deals, although 478p/kg to 482p/kg has been reported for bigger numbers.
Heifers are also moving off farm for around 476p/kg. Where bigger numbers are available, deals of 480p/kg are available, with higher prices reserved for butcher-type animals and specialist finishers.
Young bulls are edging upwards to 470p/kg for animals meeting carcase weight limits. In the case of Angus cattle ticking all the boxes on carcase specification, there are animals moving well above 490p/kg.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers of all grades rose by 2.2p/kg to 461.71p/kg. On U3 steers, prices were more or less unchanged at 475.1p/kg.
In contrast, the average price paid on U3 heifers jumped by 4.3p/kg to 478.4p/kg, with young bulls at the same grade rising by 3.3p/kg to 467p/kg.
Cows
Sales of manufacturing beef remain robust, underpinning strong processing demand for cull cows. Quotes of 375p/kg for R3 cows are 20p to 25p/kg below what is on offer to farmers.
Most reports indicate good-quality beef cows are making 400p/kg, rising to 420p/kg for animals with better conformation.
NI sheep: hogget quotes recover after cuts
The hogget trade has recovered this week, as prices paid at marts are up in the region of £2 to £4/head.
Factory quotes have responded, rising 10p/kg to 520p/kg although 10p/kg is on offer for a good supply of meal-finished animals.
In Gortin, the best hoggets at 28kg sold to £123, 26.5kg to £120, with 24.5kg to £117 and 22kg to £113.
Kilrea sold 550 hoggets from 487p to 553p/kg, up 13p to 40p/kg for lighter sorts. Hoggets at 24.5kg sold to £119, with 22kg at £110.
At Markethill Mart, 500 hoggets sold from 470p to 498p/kg, no change on last week.
Saintfield had a show of 525 hoggets, which made 483p to 530p/kg, up 8p/kg to 15p/kg on last week.
Heavy Charollais hoggets at 30kg made £125, 27kg Texels selling at £122, 22kg sold to £112, with 20.5kg to £103.50.
In Rathfriland, a smaller show of 407 hoggets sold from 470p to 530p/kg, averaging 491p/kg, which was up 19p/kg on last week.
In Ballymena, the trade was firm, with £120 to £122 paid for 25kg to 28kg, 30kg making £124 and 23kg to £120.
Ewes
The trade in fat ewes has improved, with stronger prices for the best lots on offer. In Gortin, top price was £160, with the main run from £100 to £142.
In Kilrea, top was £248 and in Markethill, ewes hit £152. In Saintfield, Texels sold to £195, with the main run from £118 to £180. In Rathfriland, top was £166.
SHARING OPTIONS