There is no scarcity of stock going into the plants. In fact, with prices under pressure, some fatteners are bringing stock out in an effort to avoid taking a lower price early in the new year.

The best plant has held its quote at 310p/kg for steers and heifers, while another has applied cuts of 4p, taking its quote down to 308p for steers and 310p for heifers.

Farmers report that deals significantly ahead of these base quotes are difficult to obtain at present.

Backed off

One said he had a deal done at 316p/kg for U-3 grades, but his factory agent later backed off and was only willing to pay 310p/kg.

It means that prices being paid in NI this week are 50p/kg behind the same week in 2014.

Back then, the gap in prices to Britain was only a few pence per kilogramme. Currently, it is 30p to 40p/kg across some grades, and despite prices in Britain also being under some downward pressure, R4Ls in the north of England are still being bought around the 350p/kg mark.

Looking ahead to the new year, most expect a significant tightening of finished cattle numbers in NI, but with their chills full, factories are well positioned to keep a rein on price for now.

The new year can be a difficult time for sales, as consumers tighten their belts after the Christmas rush.

A significant pre-Christmas sales boost did not happen this year.

Cows

In the cow trade, there continues to be plenty of fat cows on offer. However, at two of the plants, quotes are on hold at 230p/kg for an O+3 grade cow.

Holidays

With the upcoming holiday period, most factories are killing today (Wednesday), with some doing a small kill on Thursday.

Most are off on Monday and Friday of next week.

Lamb trade

Quotes for lambs at the plants are steady again this week at 330p for up to 22kg. At the 22kg weight limit, this values a lamb at £72.60.

In the marts, the number of lambs on offer was steady. Massereene had a good sale on Monday.

Last Saturday, 1,088 lambs in Omagh sold from 299p to 332p/kg. In Swatragh, 635 head sold from 264p to 329p and to an average of 300p.

In Kilrea, Monday, a show of 390 lambs sold from 294p to 316p, no change for the main weight ranges.

Massereene sold 812, all going to the kill, from 300p to 339p, up 10p to 15p/kg on last week. The heaviest pen at 26kg made £78 (300p/kg). An excellent-quality pen of 12 Texels at 22kg made £74.50 and the top price per kg of 339p.

The prices for fat ewes were mostly steady in the marts, but on Monday the top lot in Massereene was up £8/head.

Top prices were £75 in Newtownstewart, £71.50 in Swatragh, £81 in Omagh, £64 in Kilrea and £92 on Massereene.