Cattle agents remain active for stock and where farmers can offer a steady supply of in-spec animals, there is room to negotiate for higher prices.

But, overall, the beef trade remains on a firm footing this week, with factory agents managing to meet throughput, albeit with a heavy reliance on larger, specialist finishers.

As such, there is no change to base quotes or the general run of prices being reported.

This keeps official base prices for U-3 grading cattle on a top quote of 430p/kg, although other plants are on 412p/kg.

Lower quotes are curtailing the prices on offer for out-of-spec animals, as well as animals processed under premium breed schemes and this continues to be a source of frustration for farmers.

For prime cattle, steers are holding relatively steady, with reports of 438p to 440p/kg.

More regular finishers are securing 2p to 4p/kg to encourage cattle on to the market.

Heifers are opening around the 442p/kg mark, but there is more on offer where farmers have butcher-type animals for sale.

Young bulls are moving off farm at 430p to 436p/kg, although some regular finishers are securing 440p/kg, but they are supplying animals within a tight weight specification.

Last week, the average price paid across steers and heifers of all conformation rose by 2.4p to 425.64p/kg.

On U3 steers, prices edged up by 1.9p/kg to average 440.4p/kg, with heifers at the same grade rising 2.5p/kg to average 443.1p/kg.

Young bulls increased in value by 1p/kg and averaged 433.9p/kg.

Imports of Irish cattle for direct slaughter at local plants totalled 453, down by 18 head week on week, while 36 animals moved in the opposite direction.

Cows

Cull cows remain a strong trade, despite the availability of animals from dairy units increasing week on week.

Quotes for O+3 cows are on 360p/kg, with R3 animals on 370p/kg, although prices are running 10p to 20p/kg ahead of this level.

NI sheep: quotes down but deals on offer

There were bigger shows of sheep in the marts this week, which took the edge off buying demand.

Factories have shaved 10p/kg off quotes to 500p/kg, making a lamb worth £105 for 21kg deadweight.

In Kilrea, a big show of 1,000 lambs sold from 440p to 474p/kg, down 25p/kg on last week. The 474p/kg was for 19.5kg at £92.50, 467p/kg paid for 22.5kg at £105 and 466p/kg for 22kg at £102.50.

In Massereene, 815 lambs sold from 445p to 476p/kg, down 16p/kg for heavier types. Lambs at 29.5kg made £114, 24kg at £110 and 26kg making £108.

In Saintfield, 970 lambs sold from 445p to 500p/kg, down 20p/kg for the main run of lambs. Top price was £112 for 26kg. Lambs at 25kg sold to £110, with 24kg to £106. Lambs at 21kg sold to £97.50, with 20kg to £94.

In Rathfriland, a big show of 1,100 lambs sold from 440p to 581p/kg, averaging 475p/kg, down by 22p/kg on last week.

At Ballymena on Wednesday morning, heavy lambs at 26.5kg made £109, with 25kg at £107. Lambs at 23.5kg made £103, 22.5kg selling to £101, 21.5kg made £96 and 20kg at £90.

Ewes

The trade for fat ewes is still firm. In Kilrea, top price was £173. In Massereene, top was £144 for Suffolks, with Hampshires at £142. Mules and Texels made £132, with Charolais at £123.

In Saintfield, the top price was £170, with others making from £124 to £164. In Rathfriland, the top was £169.

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