Cattle quotes down

Quotes at the plants have dropped by from 4p to 8p/kg putting steers and heifers at 360p at the best plants and 358p elsewhere.

However, regular suppliers have been able to sell at last weeks’ prices, with 374p/kg paid for U3 grades this week. But the threat of reduced quotes has brought a significant increase in numbers, with some buyers claiming they are booked out for the next two weeks.

In turn plants are trying to restrict the number of cattle they buy and one plant had dropped back to a four-day kill. It should ensure that tighter numbers will not be an issue for a few weeks.

The number imported for slaughter from the south last week was 529 head. Exports to the south were 268 head; and 119 head went across to Britain.

Prices paid last week were up again, with prime cattle averaging over 360p/kg.

The fat cow trade remains steady and the market for R and O+ grade cows is from 250p/kg to 260p/kg.

Sheep prices

There are more hoggets on offer this week and the plants have edged back their quotes to 400p/kg or are not quoting. In the marts, the number of hoggets coming forward has increased and prices are mostly down. Last Saturday Omagh had a show of 1,290 hoggets selling from 354p/kg to 392p/kg, down 6-10p/kg for the main weight range. In Kilrea they sold 450 hoggets from 375p/kg to 391p/kg, up 9-13p/kg. Massereene sold 1,067 hoggets making from 360p/kg to 402p/kg, down 5-13p/kg. Saintfield, Tuesday, sold 707 hoggets from 340p/kg to 405p/kg, down 10-17p/kg. Early lots through the ring in Ballymena on Wednesday weighed 24.5kg and made £89 (363p/kg); 25kg made £89 (356p/kg); 25kg made £90 (360p/kg); and a pen of mixed weights averaging 24kg made £90 (375p/kg). The trade in fat ewes fell as the week progressed with the top ewes making £122 a head in Omagh, £104 in Massereene, £96 in Kilrea and £85 in Saintfield.