The beef trade remains steady, with processors leaving base quotes unchanged. This keeps the range of base quotes for U-3 grading cattle on 332p/kg to 338p/kg, with farmers reporting that plants are working from a starting price of 338p/kg.

Prices being paid are broadly similar to last week. Steers are generally moving from 340p to 342p/kg, with 2p/kg more for bigger numbers.

Heifers are moving from 344p to 346p/kg, with 350p/kg being paid at the upper end of the market for regular finishers, although reports indicate this would not be as widely available as in previous weeks.

Last week, the average price across steers and heifers increased by 1.27p/kg to 338.41p/kg

Farmers offloading smaller numbers are struggling to negotiate beyond 338p to 340p/kg for steers and heifers. Supplies of young bulls are more widely available, with 338p to 342p/kg being paid.

Processors indicate that beef sales are extremely slow. The outlook for next week could see prices ease, as fewer animals are needed to fill orders.

Last week, the average price across steers and heifers increased by 1.27p/kg to 338.41p/kg.

The average price paid on U3 steers increased by 0.5p to 343.1p/kg, with the average price paid on U3 heifers rising sharply by 2.5p to 349p/kg.

While an improving trade is welcomed, the current beef trade is running well short of the prices being paid 12 months ago.

Base quotes at the end of May 2018 were 362p to 364p/kg, with official price reports putting steers and heifers at 374p/kg. This means current quotes are down by 26p to 32p/kg on prime cattle, making a 380kg carcase worth £98 to £121 less than the same animal 12 months ago.

Cows

Processing demand for cull cows remains firm and quotes on R3 grading animals are on 260p/kg, with O+3 animals on 245p to 255p/kg.

However, deals continue to be offered well above base quotes, with R grading cows averaging 282.6p/kg last week.

Lamb trade

The fat lamb trade has hardened, with one factory quote rising by 10p/kg to 430p, which makes a lamb worth £90.30 at the 21kg weight limit. Mart prices have improved, with the Tuesday evening sale at Rathfriland up by 29p/kg. At Lisahally, lambs sold to £93/head.

In Kilrea, 150 lambs sold from 400p to 423p/kg, up by 13p to 23p/kg.

In Massereene, 660 lambs made from 390p to 428p/kg, up by 5p to 8p/kg.

In Saintfield, 433 lambs made 390p to 420p/kg, up by 20p/kg. Top-quality Texels at 24.5kg made £92, with 20kg at £84. Suffolks at 24.5kg made £89 and 22kg made £83.

In Rathfriland, 304 lambs made 390p to 421p/kg and averaged 410p/kg, up by 29p/kg on last week. Top price per head was £93.

Ewes

The fat ewe trade has improved, with top prices up in most marts. Omagh sold to a top of £100/head and in Swatragh, ewes made £129. In Massereene, the top was £100. Saintfield sold to a top of £90, with next best at £88 and £80. In Rathfriland, trade was up by £10, with a top of £125, then £115 and plenty over £100.

Breeding sheep are a steady trade. In Saintfield, ewes with twin Texel lambs made £148 and £140 for the outfit.

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