Supplies of finished cattle appear to be more widely available this week, making it easier for factory agents to secure numbers.

As such, farmers are finding it harder to negotiate for higher prices unless they can offer a regular supply of in-spec animals or have bigger numbers to offload this week.

Base quotes remain unchanged, keeping U-3 grading animals on a top quote of 430p/kg. While there are plants are officially quoting back to 412p/kg, farmers indicate these factories are still opening at 430p/kg for conventional cattle.

However, farmers selling cattle under the various breed schemes continue to be capped at the lower quotes with the bonuses bringing the end price into line with conventional animals.

Cattle agents are trying to keep a lid on the trade and reluctant to cross the 440p/kg barrier on steers.

Most reports indicate that 436p/kg is being offered to farmers with limited numbers, with 438p to 440p/kg on offer to regular finishers.

Heifers are also being bought at 438p/kg. However, regular finishers and farmers with butcher-type heifers are breaching the 440p/kg mark, with 442p/kg being reported.

Young bulls are a harder sell when it comes to negotiating for higher prices.

Most reports put young bulls around 432p and 434p/kg, although there are farmers selling on a regular arrangement securing deals in line with steer prices.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers was 423.39p/kg across all grades of conformation. Prices on U3 steers fell by 2.3p/kg to average 438.1p/kg, with heifers at the same grade slipping 3.5p to 439.5p/kg and young bulls easing to 430.4p/kg.

Cows

The cow trade has lost some of its momentum, as supplies of dairy animals become more widely available.

Quotes are on 365p/kg for R3 animals, with O+3 animals on 355p/kg, with most deals running from 360p to 380p/kg depending on quality.

NI sheep: processors easing prices with increased supplies

Demand for fat lambs continues to ease, both in the live ring and at processing plants. Factory quotes are down 15p/kg to 490p/kg, making a lamb worth £102.90 for 21kg deadweight.

In Kilrea, 690 lambs sold from 438p to 476p/kg, no change on last week. The 476p was for lighter lambs at 18.5kg making £88. After that, the best prices saw 441p/kg for 23kg at £101.50, 436p/kg for 22kg at £96 and 23.5kg making £102.50.

In Massereene, 967 lambs sold from 417p to 440p/kg, down 30p/kg on last week. The 440p/kg was for 23.5kg at £103.50, 431p/kg for 22.5kg at £97 and 430p/kg for 23kg at £99. Lambs at 28kg made £106, 25kg at £105.50 and 26kg making £105.

In Saintfield, 925 lambs made 430p to 485p/kg, down 15p/kg on last week. Heavy lambs at 30kg made £118 to £123, 25kg sold to £105 with 24kg to £103. Lambs at 22kg made £100 with 21.5kg selling to £96.

In Rathfriland, 892 lambs sold from 430p to 486p/kg, averaging 442p/kg, which is down 33p/kg on last week.

At Ballymena on Wednesday morning, early lots were a weaker trade. Heavy lambs at 27.5kg made £104, 24.5kg and 24kg made £99 to £102. Lambs at 23kg made £95 to £97, 21.5kg from £89 to £91, with 20kg maknig £86.50.

Ewes

The trade for fat ewes is also easier this week. In Kilrea, top price was £149. In Massereene, top was also £149 for Suffolks, with Texels at £140, Charollais at £125 and Mules at £106. In Saintfield, the top price was £155, with others making from £112 to £144. In Rathfriland, top was £176.

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