There are some positive moves at the plants this week, with stronger quotes available for cows and one factory putting 2p on to its quotes for prime cattle.

The rest are continuing to hold for now, despite prime cattle supplies getting tighter.

But with the Easter holidays and a short week coming up, there is no immediate pressure to secure supplies.

It could be the following week before much tighter supplies start to bite and we start to see more significant increases to quotes.

The best quote for U3 grade steers this week is 334p/kg, with heifers also at 334p/kg.

However, there is more available to regular suppliers, particularly for prime butcher-type heifers, which are moving off a base into the low- to mid-340s.

Last week, the price paid for U3 grading heifers averaged 345p/kg, up 1.5p/kg on the previous week.

The equivalent U3 steer averaged 338.2p/kg, unchanged from the previous week.

Across all steers, prices averaged 330.43p, with heifers at 334.16p/kg.

Those prices are down by approximately 10p/kg on what was paid in early January 2019.

They are also down 22p to 24p/kg on what was paid in the same week last year.

On a 360kg steer, the difference is just under £90.

In Britain, there are more immediate signs that the trade is turning, with a 5p/kg increase in the prices paid in Scotland last week.

Prices paid in England also edged up and are running around 10p/kg ahead of NI prices for some of the better conformation grades.

Cow trade

The trade in fat cows in NI has picked up at one plant, with 5p added to quotes. Best quote for an R grade is at 255p/kg, with an O+3 grade cow at 245p/kg, while others are at 245p and 235p respectively.

Last week, the prices paid for good quality R-grading cows averaged 267.8p/kg, up 3p/kg on the previous week.

Hogget trade

After last week’s highs, the hogget trade has steadied this week or has edged back slightly. Best quote is at 460p, making a hogget worth £101.20 for 22kg. Spring lamb has eased and quotes are at 490p, worth £102.90 at the 21kg weight limit.

On Monday, Kilrea sold 500 hoggets from 415p to 467p/kg, down by 28p for heavier hoggets.

Massereene sold 626 hoggets from 400p to 510p/kg, down by 30p for heavier hoggets. They sold 188 spring lambs from 450p to 510p/kg.

Saintfield sold 394 head and prices were well back at 359p to 432p/kg, with 71 springs from 368p to 455p/kg.

In Lisahally, good Beltex hoggets at 24kg made £104. Good heavy white-faced hoggets made £100 to £103. A show of spring lambs made from £100 to £105 a head.

Rathfriland sold 222 hoggets at 380p to 420p and averaged 400p, down 19p on last week. They also sold 164 springs at 430p to 512p, averaging 462p, down 8p.

Ewes

The fat ewe trade is firm, with very good top prices. The top in Omagh was £124 and in Swatragh was £157. Top in Massereene was £110 and in Kilrea was £102. Saintfield got £120 for a pen of very well fleshed ewes.

In Ballymena, the best Texel ewes with twin lambs at foot made £230 for the outfit, with Suffolks to £228 and Mules to £218. Pet lambs made up to £47 each.