Supplies of slaughter-fit cattle are becoming more widely available and cattle agents are finding it easier to secure numbers.

With more animals available, the trade has steadied this week and the majority of plants have left base quotes unchanged, although one plant has reduced its base by 2p/kg.

This puts the range of quotes for U-3 grading cattle on 338p/kg to 342p/kg for steers, with some plants still quoting 344p/kg for prime heifers.

However, while cattle supplies are increasing, base quotes are still well off the prices being paid.

Farmers continue to report that deals of 348p to 350p/kg are widely available on prime steers, with heifers making an additional 2p to 4p/kg.

Finishers with a good supply of butcher-type heifers are faring best when negotiating on price and cattle agents remain keen to secure these animals.

Young bulls

Young bulls are making prices similar to steers for suckler-bred animals meeting market spec on age and carcase weight. Out-of-spec cattle are a harder trade and animals are moving at base quotes.

Processors are working hard to keep control over the trade, with talk of weaker prices possibly coming due to increased supplies and slower beef sales.

However, the live trade remains buoyant, with specialist finishers competing hard for good-quality cattle, giving an alternative outlet for farmers struggling to negotiate on price.

Wholesalers are also extremely active for cattle and, last week, imports from the Republic jumped significantly to 629 head from 355 the previous week.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers was marginally down to 343.49p/kg.

However, the average price paid on U3 steers increased by 1p to 349.8p/kg, with U3 heifers holding steady on 356.3p/kg.

Cows

Base quotes on cull cows are also steady, with R3 animals on 246p/kg and O+3 cows on 236p/kg. However deals are available on prime beef cows.

Hogget trade

The hogget trade is still buoyant, with plants increasing base quotes this week. The top quote is 445p/kg, making a hogget worth £97.90 at the 22kg limit.

The mart trade is strong, with plenty of heavy hoggets making well over £100/head.

Kilrea sold 400 hoggets making from 409p to 430p/kg, unchanged for the main weight range.

Massereene sold 1,105 hoggets from 390p to 445p/kg, down by 10p/kg for heavier hoggets.

Saintfield sold 404 head making from 415p to 463p/kg, up by 15p/kg for heavier hoggets. Top price was £104.50 for a pen of 21 head at 26kg, while 24kg made £100 and 24.7kg made £98, with 20kg at £88 or 440p/kg.

In Rathfriland, they sold 400 hoggets from 393p to 470p/kg with an average of 412p/kg, the same as last week.

Ewes

Sales of fat ewes are also an improving trade. The top price in Omagh was £104 for 160 sold. Swatragh sold 220 head to £109. The top price in Massereene was £109 and in Kilrea, ewes sold to £124. In Saintfield, ewes topped £100, with other quality lots making £95 and £90. The top in Rathfriland was £100.

In Ballymena, ewes with lambs at foot sold to £226 for three Suffolk ewes and six lambs. Springing Blackface ewes made £212, £190 and £175. Suffolks sold to £144 with crossbreds at £140. Store hoggets made to £85/head.

Read more

Listen: Beef Plan in discussions with five factories

Beef prices: business as usual with trade steady