This is a subscriber-only article
As the availability of finished cattle remains limited, beef processors have moved to increase base quotes to 354p to 356p/kg for U-3 grading animals.
However, base quotes continue to fall well short of the price deals being offered to farmers.
Reports indicate that plants are working to a 360p/kg base, with deals of 364p to 368p/kg on offer for in-spec animals.
More regular finishers are securing prices in the low- to mid-370p/kg range for in-spec animals, with reports of 380p/kg being paid at the upper end of the market for big numbers of prime cattle.
With cattle numbers in short supply, processors are waiving penalties on animals exceeding carcase limits.
Last week saw the second-highest number of Irish cattle imported to Northern Ireland for direct slaughter this year at 815 head
In an effort to maintain throughput and keep a grip on beef prices, there have been multiple reports of northern processors and wholesalers sourcing cattle south of the border over the past week.
Last week saw the second-highest number of Irish cattle imported to Northern Ireland for direct slaughter this year at 815 head, of which 523 were prime animals.
It brings the total number of Irish cattle imported to NI plants during 2020 to 7,067, a 35% increase compared with last year.
The average price paid on U3 heifers rose 2p to 362.9p/kg
No slaughter cattle were exported from NI to Britain last week, but 36 animals were imported for processing at local plants.
The increase in imported cattle saw the weekly kill in NI rise by 250 head to 9,066 last week.
The average price paid across all steers and heifers rose by 2p to 349.84p/kg, with U3 steers up 4p to 359.p/kg.
The average price paid on U3 heifers rose 2p to 362.9p/kg, with U3 bulls up 5p to 355.6p/kg.
Cows
Quotes on cull cows are up 5p/kg, with R3 animals on 280p/kg and O+3 cows on 270p/kg.
However, good-quality cows continue to make 310p/kg for R grading animals.
Lamb trade
The availability of fat lambs is increasing and quotes have slipped to 440p and 450p/kg this week. At the upper quote, lambs are worth £94.50 at 21kg carcase weight.
In the marts, there were more lambs shown and prices were generally easier.
In Kilrea, there were 430 lambs selling from 406p to 433p/kg, down by almost 50p/kg on last week.
Massereene sold 705 lambs from 420p to 445p/kg, down by 25p/kg on last week.
In Saintfield, 444 lambs made 400p to 460p/kg, down by 40p/kg for heavier lambs and by 20p/kg for lighter sorts.
Rathfriland had a show of 710 lambs selling from 400p to 475p/kg, with a sale average of 430p/kg, down 28p/kg on last week. Lambs at 24kg made £97, with 22kg to £93. Lighter lambs were a weaker trade with 18kg and 19kg at £80.
Ewes
Well-fleshed ewes were a very good trade at the weekend and on Monday. However, the trade was weaker by Tuesday. Omagh sold ewes to £100 and Swatragh sold to £160. In Kilrea, ewes made £134. In Massereene, top price was £114 and in Saintfield, the top was £100. In Rathfriland, the top price was £128 with others at £100 and a big pen of Suffolk-crosses making £92.
SHARING OPTIONS: