The beef market is steady this week and best base quotes for U-3 grade cattle are at 358p for both steers and heifers, with 354p elsewhere.

Factory agents report that numbers coming forward for slaughter this week are sufficient to meet their needs.

However, there is some indication that numbers could be tighter next week, as limited fodder stocks have forced farmers to offload cattle earlier than normal.

In terms of prices paid, farmers report that deals in the low- to mid-360s are readily available.

At the top end, those with larger numbers or with butcher-type heifers are able to secure deals of 370p/kg and above.

That is reflected in the prices paid last week for U3 grade heifers, which averaged 370.5p/kg, up nearly 2p/kg on the previous week. U3 grade steers averaged 366.8p/kg.

Across all steers and heifers, average prices paid were largely unchanged from the previous week, with steers at 354.51p/kg and heifers at 356.82p/kg.

With beef prices in Britain generally running around 10p/kg ahead of what is available here for top conformation grades, there is little margin to be had taking cattle across the Irish Sea for slaughter. Only 21 cattle were sent for direct slaughter last week. A total of 166 head (mostly cows) came in the opposite direction.

The trade in cattle from the south had 80 head coming in for slaughter. Trade in the opposite direction was up at 204 head.

Fat cows

The trade in fat cows continues to be firm, with sales of processing beef remaining strong and tighter supplies of cows on offer.

The best quote for an O+3 grade cow is at 290p/kg, with others on 280p. The best quote for an R grade is at 300p/kg with others on 290p.

However, last week the actual prices paid for R3 and R4 grades averaged 313p/kg.

Hogget and spring lamb trade

To get their requirements, the factories have maintained or increased hogget quotes. Best factory quote is at 550p, making a 22kg hogget worth £121. However, the mart trade for hoggets is down slightly.

Spring lamb quotes are at 580p for limited numbers. This makes a 21kg lamb worth up to £121.80.

In the marts, Massereene sold 72 spring lambs making from 550p to 598p/kg, no change on last week.

In Saintfield, 50 lambs made from 530p to 580p/kg.

In Rathfriland, 199 springs made from 538p to 588p and averaged 562p/kg, down 8p, and making a 21kg lamb worth £118 on average.

At Kilrea, 280 hoggets made from 480p to 519p/kg, down by 8p on last week for the main weight range.

Massereene sold 831 hoggets making from 450p to 528p, down 10p.

In Saintfield, 190 hoggets made from 420p to 468p, down by 40p on last week.

In Rathfriland, 236 hoggets ranged from 400p to 475p and averaged 466p, down 9p.

The fat ewe trade remains strong, with good top prices. In Omagh, top was £130. In Massereene, the top was £143 and in Saintfield was £114. Rathfriland sold 260 head to £127.

In Ballymena, the best Texel ewes with twins at foot sold from £200 to a top of £268. Springing ewes made to £120 and store lambs to £80.