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There are some signs of an improving trade within the beef sector as the oversupply of finished cattle in late 2018 appears to be coming back into line with processor demand.
Factory agents are still being offered plenty of cattle, but the supply and demand balance is much more closely aligned.
This has seen a hardening in prices, especially on in-spec animals.
The delays in getting cattle processed have shortened significantly, with farmers indicating that agents are able to move prime cattle within a few days of notice.
Most farmers report that all plants are working at the higher end of base quotes to secure numbers
Base prices have been revised at some plants, with an additional 2p/kg being added to factory quotes for U-3 grading animals, while others have left their base unchanged.
This puts the range of quotes on offer at 338p/kg rising to 344p/kg for both steers and heifers.
Most farmers report that all plants are working at the higher end of base quotes to secure numbers.
Deals on offer above base are becoming more common for prime animals.
However, out-of-spec lower-grading dairy-bred animals remain a more difficult sell.
Prime cattle are generally moving at 346p to 348p/kg, with reports of 350p/kg being offered to farmers with a more regular supply.
Higher prices are on offer to larger finishers supplying large numbers animals on a weekly arrangement.
After a period of sustained price pressure, some farmers also report 350p/kg being offered on young bulls meeting market specification on weight limits and age.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers was down 2p/kg to 341.85p/kg.
The average price paid on U3 steers was down 3p/kg to 349.4p/kg, with U3 heifers down 2p/kg to 354.3p/kg.
Cows
The cow trade remains challenging but steady, with quotes holding at 246p/kg for R3 grading animals, while O+3 cows are on a base of 236p/kg.
Hogget trade
The hogget trade is buoyant, with plants putting 10p/kg and more on to quotes, taking them to 435p/kg.
This makes a hogget worth £95.70 at the 22kg limit. However, deals are available and strong sellers will get more.
In the marts, trade was very strong for good-quality hoggets. Kilrea sold 450 hoggets from 390p to 420p/kg, unchanged for the main weight range.
Massereene sold 712 hoggets from 390p to 420p/kg, up by 10p/kg for heavier hoggets.
Saintfield sold 701 head making from 390p to 461p/kg, up by 15p/kg and more.
Rathfriland sold 519 hoggets from 375p to 450p/kg, with the sale average at 395p/kg, up by 4p/kg on last week.
Prices reached £102.50, with plenty of hoggets at 26kg making £100 and over, while £90 to £92 was paid for 23kg.
Store hoggets are very dear, with lighter hoggets making from 425p to 440p/kg.
Ewes
The fat ewe trade is still strengthening. The top price in Newtownstewart was £110 and in Omagh, it was £98 for 125 sold.
Swatragh sold 150 head to £100.
The top price in Massereene was £90.
In Kilrea, ewes sold to £100 and in Saintfield to £105. Rathfriland sold 125 ewes to £90/head.
In Ballymena, ewes with lambs at foot made £228 for a Texel ewe with twins.
The best pens of breeding ewe lambs made £94 and £88.
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