There is further upward movement in cattle quotes at some of the factories this week, with the best quotes at 344p/kg for U-3 grade steers and heifers. This is an increase of 2p and 4p on last week.

According to sources in the trade, beef sales continue to be reasonably strong and, with finished cattle numbers starting to tighten, there is good competition among buyers and pressure on factories to pay more.

Reports from farmers suggest that deals of 4p/kg to 8p/kg over base are widely available.

Producers with larger lots of in-spec heifers suitable for the butchery trade have managed to negotiate higher prices of £3.50/kg to £3.55/kg. Some of these deals include haulage.

There are also reports of choice lots of heifers making as far as £3.60/kg.

Sources indicate a positive outlook for prices while demand for the Christmas trade continues. Normally this demand starts to soften from mid-December.

The prices paid last week were up on the previous week, with steers and heifers up 2.5p/kg to average 336.17p/kg. U3 grade heifers averaged 349p/kg, with U3 steers at 347.7p/kg.

The kill last week was down 259 head to 9,466, but was still one of the largest kills of the year.

The number of cattle coming in last week from the south for slaughter was down by 40 head at 108 head. T

rade in the opposite direction was 134 head, down 29 on last week. The trade across to Britain for slaughter was 148 head, virtually unchanged.

Cow trade

There is no change in the quotes for fat cows this week and the best quote for an O+3 grade cow is 245p/kg, with others quoting 240p/kg.

The best quote for an R grade is at 250p/kg, although at least 270p/kg is on offer this week for good-quality, well-fleshed, suckler-bred cows.

Lamb trade

The trade in fat lambs is steady this week at 375p and 370p/kg in the factories while in the marts on Monday and Tuesday, trade was slightly stronger. In early trading, following the Trump election as President of the United States, the Euro is holding up well at above 89 pence giving southern buyers good buying power.

In the marts, some had more on offer, some less and prices increased until Rathfriland where the trade eased.

Kilrea had 400 lambs (10 lambs fewer than last week) selling from 328p to 363p, up by 10p/kg.

Massereene sold 976 lambs (280 fewer) making from 330p to 361p/kg, up 10p for the main weight range.

Saintfield had a sale of 781 head (120 more) and they made from 320p to 375p, up 4p for heavier lambs.

In Rathfriland, there was a big sale with 1,053 lambs (239 more) and trade was slightly weaker. Prices averaged 338 a kg, down by 4p, or about £1 per head, on last week. The range was from 324p to 393p/kg. Top fat prices went to £84 for 27kg with £80 paid for 24kg. Store lambs sold in the range 370p to 393p.

Ewes

The trade in fat ewes is holding up well with the top prices up at most of the marts. Top in Newtownstewart was £85; in Omagh £105 for a show of 274 ewes; in Swatragh was £105; in Kilrea £80; in Massereene was £87; and in Saintfield was £90 a head. In Rathfriland, the top was £90 for a cull ram with best ewes making from £70 to £76 a head.