One factory has advanced its quotes by 2p/kg to 334p/kg for U-3 grade steers and heifers this week, with others moving to, or remaining at, a base of 330p/kg.
However, reports from regular farmer suppliers suggest that deals can be done into the low 340s for prime cattle, with slightly more available for butcher-type heifers.
While some factory agents maintain that numbers coming forward are sufficient for their needs, others acknowledge that the supply of finished cattle is currently tighter than had been expected.
Despite difficult ground conditions in some areas, there is a good supply of grass still available, so producers are in no rush to sell.
The market is also continuing to strengthen in Britain on the back of relatively tight supplies.
Farmers in the north of England are working off a base of 355p/kg for R4Ls, with deals available ahead of quotes for a batch of in-spec cattle.
Despite some beef cuts being more difficult to sell, reports from Britain also suggest that burger sales have received a significant boost in recent weeks.
That comes on the back of warmer weather, the Olympics and reduced competition from imports, given recent currency movements.
The market there is firmly in the favour of farmers at present.
In terms of prices paid in NI last week, steers and heifers continued to edge up to average 329p/kg. That average is 20p/kg ahead of prices paid at the start of the year. Last week, U3 steers averaged 340.1p/kg, with U3 heifers at 341.5p/kg. U3 grading young bulls averaged 335.1p/kg.
Cow trade
Quotes in the plants remain steady for fat cows. The best quote for an O+3 grade cow is 250p/kg, with others quoting 240p/kg. The best quote for an R grade is steady at 260p/kg, although prices paid for R3s last week averaged 268.5p/kg.
Lamb trade
The edge has gone off the lamb trade this week and factories have left their quotes unchanged at 385p/kg deadweight. This makes a lamb worth £80.85 at the 21kg limit.
There were good shows in the marts with steady prices. On Tuesday evening, Rathfriland had a big show and prices advanced by 6p/kg.
Kilrea had a sale of 700 lambs and they sold from 345p to 359p, down 5p/kg.
Massereene saw 946 head making from 345p to 377p, no change.
Saintfield had a show of 712 lambs selling from 330p to 375p, up by 4p for heavier lambs, but unchanged for the main weight range.
In Rathfriland, a big sale with 1,150 lambs on offer sold from 334p to 408p/kg with an average of 350p/kg, up by 6p or £1.30/head on last week.
The trade in fat ewes has eased a little and prices for top lots were back in some marts. Top in Newtownstewart was £83, in Swatragh £85, in Omagh £115, Kilrea £73.50, Massereene £92, Saintfield £90 and, in Rathfriland, prices were to £115/head.
Download the Irish Farmers Journal news app today and get the latest prices for all grades and all factories through the built-in Livestock Tool.
Read more
More bite for finished cattle
One factory has advanced its quotes by 2p/kg to 334p/kg for U-3 grade steers and heifers this week, with others moving to, or remaining at, a base of 330p/kg.
However, reports from regular farmer suppliers suggest that deals can be done into the low 340s for prime cattle, with slightly more available for butcher-type heifers.
While some factory agents maintain that numbers coming forward are sufficient for their needs, others acknowledge that the supply of finished cattle is currently tighter than had been expected.
Despite difficult ground conditions in some areas, there is a good supply of grass still available, so producers are in no rush to sell.
The market is also continuing to strengthen in Britain on the back of relatively tight supplies.
Farmers in the north of England are working off a base of 355p/kg for R4Ls, with deals available ahead of quotes for a batch of in-spec cattle.
Despite some beef cuts being more difficult to sell, reports from Britain also suggest that burger sales have received a significant boost in recent weeks.
That comes on the back of warmer weather, the Olympics and reduced competition from imports, given recent currency movements.
The market there is firmly in the favour of farmers at present.
In terms of prices paid in NI last week, steers and heifers continued to edge up to average 329p/kg. That average is 20p/kg ahead of prices paid at the start of the year. Last week, U3 steers averaged 340.1p/kg, with U3 heifers at 341.5p/kg. U3 grading young bulls averaged 335.1p/kg.
Cow trade
Quotes in the plants remain steady for fat cows. The best quote for an O+3 grade cow is 250p/kg, with others quoting 240p/kg. The best quote for an R grade is steady at 260p/kg, although prices paid for R3s last week averaged 268.5p/kg.
Lamb trade
The edge has gone off the lamb trade this week and factories have left their quotes unchanged at 385p/kg deadweight. This makes a lamb worth £80.85 at the 21kg limit.
There were good shows in the marts with steady prices. On Tuesday evening, Rathfriland had a big show and prices advanced by 6p/kg.
Kilrea had a sale of 700 lambs and they sold from 345p to 359p, down 5p/kg.
Massereene saw 946 head making from 345p to 377p, no change.
Saintfield had a show of 712 lambs selling from 330p to 375p, up by 4p for heavier lambs, but unchanged for the main weight range.
In Rathfriland, a big sale with 1,150 lambs on offer sold from 334p to 408p/kg with an average of 350p/kg, up by 6p or £1.30/head on last week.
The trade in fat ewes has eased a little and prices for top lots were back in some marts. Top in Newtownstewart was £83, in Swatragh £85, in Omagh £115, Kilrea £73.50, Massereene £92, Saintfield £90 and, in Rathfriland, prices were to £115/head.
Download the Irish Farmers Journal news app today and get the latest prices for all grades and all factories through the built-in Livestock Tool.
Read more
More bite for finished cattle
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: