This is a subscriber-only article
Beef prices are holding steady on the back of higher numbers of grass-finished cattle coming on to the market. With more cattle on offer, cattle agents indicate they have adequate numbers already booked for next week, which is creating a short-term delay for farmers looking to offload animals.
Processors are less eager to accept lower-grading animals originating from dairy herds and cattle that fall outside of market specification on weight and age.
In contrast, demand for prime steers and heifers remains relatively strong and where bigger numbers are being offered, farmers are securing prices above base, albeit at lower levels when compared with previous weeks.
Supplies of Angus-bred cattle being processed through premium breed schemes have also increased, with a high percentage of these animals being finished off grass. A downturn in grazing conditions has increased the rate of these cattle coming on to the market, as farmers look to ease grazing demand and stretch grass covers through October.
Despite increased cattle supplies, base quotes are steady, with the best quote on U3 steers at 354p/kg and U3 heifers at 356p/kg.
Deals are being made at 358p to 360p/kg on in-spec steers, with heifers making 358p to 366p/kg, depending on the numbers being offered. Demand for young bulls has slowed, with prices being held at base quotes.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers was steady on 353.25p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers fell 2p/kg to 360.5p/kg whereas the average price paid on U3 heifers was steady on 365.1p/kg.
The weekly cattle kill was steady, with 6,624 prime cattle and 2,238 cows processed.
Cows
The cow trade remains relatively firm, but there are signs that older and plainer cow prices are weakening with greater numbers available. Quotes on R3 cows remain on 285p/kg, with O+3 animals on 275p/kg.
Lamb trade
The lamb trade remains sluggish, with a plentiful supply on offer to plants and in the marts. Quotes are either steady or down by 5p/kg, with the best quote of 375p/kg making a lamb worth £78.75 at the 21kg limit.
In the marts, although there were more lambs forward, prices were similar to last week, with prices in Rathfriland up slightly.
In Kilrea, they sold 350 lambs from 326p to 358p/kg, little change from last week.
Massereene sold 1,222 lambs making from 335p to 370p/kg, unchanged from last week.
In Saintfield, 712 lambs made from 330p to 376p/kg, no change on last week.
At Rathfriland, they had 753 on offer, selling from 324p to 389p/kg. They averaged 345p/kg, up by 4p/kg on last week. Good 25kg lambs made £85.50, with 24kg at £82.
Ewes
The fat ewe trade is improving, with some top prices moving up. The top in Newtownstewart was £82. Omagh sold 84 head to a top of £89. Swatragh sold 455 head to £100. Top in Massereene was £91 for 209 sold. Saintfield sold 150 ewes to a top of £90. In Rathfriland, they made to £85 for 154 sold.
In Ballymena, forward store lambs were a strong trade. The best Texels made £71.50, with Suffolks selling to £71. Texel hoggets for breeding sold to £146, with crossbreds to £140. The best Suffolk ewe lambs made £131 and £122.
SHARING OPTIONS: