Farmers are reporting a much more vibrant beef trade this week, with cattle agents offering improved deals on last week, as both prime cattle and cull cow numbers have tightened significantly in recent weeks.

Indications of an improving market emerged earlier this week, with agents raising their quotes by 2p to 4p/kg to secure in-spec cattle, especially heifers.

After some upward movement last week, beef processors have left official quotes unchanged on 354p to 360p/kg for U-3 grading animals.

However, the majority of farmers are reporting that all processors are working from a starting price of 360p/kg, but that 362p/kg is widely available.

Finishers with a good supply of in-spec steers and heifers are in a strong position to negotiate on price. Several farmers report deals of 364p to 366p/kg on offer for steers and heifers, while farmers offloading continental bulls under 16 months old are managing to secure similar price deals.

At the upper end of the market, 370p/kg has been reported for finishers selling cattle on a more regular basis.

As with the domestic beef trade, cattle prices in Britain are also robust on the back of tighter supplies of finished cattle. Prices for U grading cattle are 380p to 385p/kg in Scotland, with 4p to 5p/kg less in England.

Tighter supplies of cattle have been reflected in official price reports for NI cattle. Last week, the average price for steers and heifers rose to 355.43p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers rose 2p/kg to 367.2p/kg, with U3 heifers up 3p to 368.8p/kg.

Cows

Supplies of cull cows are slowing, which is resulting in processors offering improved price deals to meet demand for manufacturing beef. Quotes for O+3 cows are 290p/kg, with R3 cows on 300p/kg. However, deals of 10p to 20p/kg above base are widely available for good-quality beef cows.

Hogget and spring lamb trade

Hogget prices remain strong, but there are signs that the market has reached a peak. The best factory quote is unchanged at 530p/kg, making a 22kg hogget worth £117.

The mart trade for hoggets is holding, although in Rathfriland, Tuesday evening, the average was down 5p/kg.

Spring lamb quotes are also unchanged at 590p/kg and 580p/kg for limited numbers. This makes a 21kg lamb worth up to £124. In the marts, Massereene sold 46 spring lambs making from 550p to 596p/kg. In Saintfield, 130 lambs made from 530p to 571p/kg. In Rathfriland, 179 springs made from 555p to 607p/kg and averaged 570p/kg, making a 21kg lamb worth £120.

At Kilrea, 290 hoggets made from 488p to 577p/kg, up by 20p/kg on last week.

Massereene sold 1,012 hoggets making from 460p to 532p/kg, down 10p/kg on last week.

In Saintfield, 392 hoggets made from 460p to 547p/kg, up by 5p/kg for the main weight range.

In Rathfriland, 316 hoggets ranged from 428p to 496p/kg and averaged 475p/kg, down by 5p/kg on last week.

The fat ewe trade remains strong, with good top prices. In Newtownstewart, top was £138, and in Omagh it was £130. In Massereene, the top was £136 and in Saintfield it was £121. Rathfriland sold 333 head to £121.

In Ballymena, the best ewes, mostly Texels, with twins at foot sold from £190 to £212. Springing ewes made from £132 to £140.