Cattle prices remain unchanged this week, leaving base quotes on 348p to 354p/kg for U-3 grade animals. Factory quotes remain unchanged since early September.

During this period, the weekly cattle kill has increased from just over 7,800 animals processed in early September to 9,488 animals processed last week.

The number of prime cattle did fall by 140 head last week, but throughput continues to be boosted by higher numbers of cull cows coming on to the market.

With an increased weekly kill and some factory agents reporting delays on killing date, a steady beef price is to be welcomed.

Current prices are undoubtedly underpinned by growing demand for manufacturing beef. However, sales of prime cuts are slower and preventing a price rise.

However, there are signals coming from the marts that processors are gearing up for the Christmas kill, with specialist finishers becoming more active for forward cattle.

Farmers report price deals similar to last week.

Cattle are moving from 354p to 356p/kg on steers and heifers, with more regular sellers securing 358p to 360p/kg towards the upper end of the market.

Some finishers who have supply agreements are managing to secure a higher price on in-spec heifers.

Plainer animals and dairy-bred cattle are still moving at prices of 340p to 348p/kg, depending on quality, with agents keen to source numbers.

The average price paid on steers and heifers last week was unchanged at 348.35p/kg. The price for U3 steers averaged 35.9p/kg, with U3 heifers averaging 360.5p/kg.

Slaughter cattle exported to Britain totalled 191, while 140 cattle were imported for slaughter from the Republic.

Cows

As with prime cattle, the trade for cull cows is steady. Base quotes on O+3 animals ranged from 265p to 275p/kg, with R3 cows on 285p/kg. Price deals are typically 290p to 300p/kg for good-quality cows.

Lamb trade

Lamb prices have rebounded this week and factories have lifted quotes by 5p and 10p/kg. Factory quotes are now at 365p and 370p/kg payable to 21kg carcase weight, making a lamb worth up to £77.70 at the weight limit.

Despite storm Ophelia, mart sales went ahead on Monday and Tuesday, although the number of lambs on offer was down on last week.

This helped prices and bids were up by 15p to 30p/kg.

In Kilrea, 200 lambs sold from 327p to 347p/kg, up by 27p to 30p/kg.

Massereene sold 612 lambs making from 320p to 342p/kg, up by 20p/kg.

In Saintfield, a sale of 441 lambs made from 322p to 414p/kg, up by 22p/kg on last week.

Rathfriland had a sale of 694 lambs making from 310p to 400p/kg and averaging 335p/kg, up 15p/kg on last week. On a per-head basis, prices were up by £3.30 to £3.50. Top prices were £80 to £83.50 for 24.5kg to 26kg half-weight.

The top prices for fat ewes are steady and in the range £80 to £101/head. Ewes sold to a top of £89 in Swatragh.

Omagh had a sale of 299 ewes selling to £90.

In Massereene, the top price was £101/head, while in Saintfield the top was £85.90 and in Rathfriland was £80.

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