With no big rush of cattle, the trade remains strong with base quotes remaining at 360p to 364p/kg for both U-3 grading steers and heifers.

But the prices paid continue to indicate that much more is available, especially to regular suppliers. Last week, the average price paid for all steers and heifers went up another 2p/kg and for top-end U3 grades, the increase was 4p to 5p/kg.

That left U3 steers averaging 375.8p/kg, with U3 heifers at 377.8p/kg.

Looking back over recent years, these prices are 40p/kg ahead of the same week in 2019 and approximately 17p/kg more than what was paid in 2018.

It is necessary to go back to 2013, when the market bounced on the back of the horsemeat scandal, to find prices that are just ahead of where they are now.

With factories continuing to battle over a limited supply of finished cattle, agents are hoping that wet conditions this week might make sourcing cattle a little easier in the coming days.

Farmers report that deals on offer are generally in the mid-370s for steers and young bulls, with slightly more available for heifers.

At the top end, in-spec steers are in the low 380s, with reports of 390p/kg going for butcher-type heifers.

It means that prime beef prices for most grades in NI are above those in England, and generally within 10p/kg of the trade in Scotland. Prices in the Republic of Ireland remain 20p to 30p/kg behind the NI trade. A total of 586 cattle were imported from the south for slaughter in NI last week.

Cow trade

For fat cows, quotes are also steady. The best quote for an O+3 grade cow is at 270p/kg, with others at 268p and 260p.

For R grades, quotes are at 280p, 278p and 270p/kg.

However, farmers report being offered over 310p/kg for good-quality beef-bred cows.

The prices paid for R3 cows last week increased by 5.4p/kg, to sit at 309.3p/kg.

Lamb trade

The fat lamb trade has weakened again this week and quotes at the plants are down to 445p/kg deadweight, a reduction of up to 15p/kg. This makes a lamb worth £93.45 at 21kg.

Prices have come back in the marts. Kilrea sold 450 lambs from 398p to 408p, down by 10p for heavier lambs.

Massereene had a show of 1,100 lambs and in a quiet trade they made from 400p to 419p, down 25p on last week. Lambs at 25kg and 24kg made from £93 to £97; lambs at 23kg made from £92 to £94, with 21kg making from £87 to £90/head.

In Saintfield, a small show of 376 lambs sold from 395p to 425p/kg, down by 15p on last week.

In Lisahally, £93 was paid for 22kg and 23kg, with £90.50 for 23.1kg and £80 for 20.2kg.

Rathfriland sold from 410p to 460p and averaged 433p, up by one penny on last week.

Ewes

Well-fleshed fat ewes are a good trade. In Massereene, the top was £106 for Charollais, £104 for Suffolks, £80 for Mules and £60 for Blackface. In Lisahally, the best made from £91 to £96/head.