The beef trade remains on a positive footing this week, with prime cattle highly sought after by factory agents.

There has been movement on base quotes, with some plants adding 2p/kg, putting U-3 grading animals on 360p to 362p/kg.

Supplies of finished cattle are relatively strong, with growing numbers of housed animals coming on to the market. But with rising demand for Red Tractor-approved beef from UK retailers, processors can handle the increase in supply at present.

Farmers offloading steers and young bulls report prices of 368p to 372p/kg for in-spec animals

There has been a noticeable increase in Angus-bred cattle coming on the market in recent weeks and some farmers face a delay in getting animals processed.

Where farmers face the possibility of these animals falling out of spec due to processing backlogs, there is strong demand for heavy fleshed cattle in the live ring.

Farmers offloading steers and young bulls report prices of 368p to 372p/kg for in-spec animals, with the higher prices including premiums for regular supply arrangements.

Competition is sharp and several farmers indicate that in-spec cattle are moving to slaughter inside the next week.

Heifers are moving at prices of 374p to 376p/kg where good numbers can be forwarded on a regular kill schedule over the next month, with butcher-type animals commanding more.

Last week, the average price paid across all grades of steers and heifers rose by 1.7p to 361.4p/kg.

Imports of Irish cattle for processing at NI plants totalled 318 head

Prices paid on U3 grading steers took a dip of 2.5p to 368.5p/kg, while U3 grading bulls rose by 3.5p/kg to an average 361.2p/kg.

Prices paid on U3 heifers rose by 1.2p to 374p/kg.

Imports of Irish cattle for processing at NI plants totalled 318 head, of which 235 were prime and 83 were cows.

Cows

The cow trade is coming under pressure, as demand within the UK food service sector slows.

Some plants have cut base quotes by 5p/kg, although R3 cows remain on a top quote of 275p/kg, with O+3 animals on 265p/kg.

Lamb trade

The market for fat lambs has strengthened, with local plants adding 5p/kg to quotes. This brings base quotes to 445p/kg, making lambs worth £93.45 at the 21kg carcase limit. Increasing carcase limits to 22kg is under active consideration.

In Saintfield, 555 lambs sold from 390p to 470p/kg

In Kilrea, 450 lambs sold from 396p to 452p/kg, no change on last week. Lambs at 25kg made £93, as did lambs at 23.5kg. Lambs at 22kg made £85.50, with store lambs at 20.5kg making £83, with 18kg at £73.

Massereene sold 660 lambs from 395p to 415p/kg, no change on last week.

In Saintfield, 555 lambs sold from 390p to 470p/kg. Heavy lambs at 25kg to 30kg made £97 to £100. Lambs at 24kg sold to £96, with 23kg at £94. Stores at 17.5kg made £81.50.

Trade in Lisahally was strong, with lambs averaging 23.8kg making £9 and prices at £99 for heavy lambs.

In Rathfriland, lambs sold from 400p to 480p/kg with the sale average 421p/kg, up by 6p/kg on last week.

Ewes

The trade in fat ewes has eased a little, but well-fleshed animals remain a good trade. Kilrea sold ewes to £109 and in Massereene, the top was £102. In Saintfield, top prices were £104 to £107 with a big run from £85 upwards. In Rathfriland, the top was £103.

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