The steady pattern of trade has continued this week and base quotes at the plants are unchanged from last week.

Best quotes are at 350p for U-3 grade steers and heifers. Elsewhere, it’s 348p for steers and 348p or 350p for heifers.

There are deals on offer ahead of quotes, but with plenty of cattle available, factory buyers are slightly more resistant to pay well ahead of base prices. Reports from farmers suggest that 354p to 356p/kg is generally available for steers. In-spec heifers could make more, with reports of some deals into the low 360s. However, young bulls are harder to sell, with deals around the 350p to 354p/kg mark.

The trend is reflected in the prices paid last week, with the average for steers and heifers down 0.6p to 350.09p/kg. At the top end, prices were also back slightly for U3 steers at 360.1p/kg, but up slightly for U3 heifers at 362.6p/kg.

Last week’s kill of 9,352 was the sixth week in a row that the kill went past 9,000 head. To date in 2018, the kill is running 3.5% ahead of the same period in 2017. Over the last few years, the kill has typically gone below 9,000 in February.

With fodder suppliers under pressure on some farms, and cattle housed early in 2017, finished cattle could be coming forward quicker than in previous years. It could mean numbers are tighter moving into the spring.

The trade in cattle from the south last week increased and 80 head came in for slaughter. Trade in the opposite direction was substantial at 204 head, and only 13 head were recorded as going across to Britain. Average prices there are less than 10p/kg ahead of NI.

Cow trade

The trade in fat cows is very firm and one plant has increased quotes. B est quote for an O+3 grade cow is 290p/kg, with another 280p. Best quote for an R grade is at 300p/kg, with another on 285p, but with a strong market, deals above these quotes are available.

Hogget trade

The hogget trade has increased further this week. Quotes at the plants are up 25p and 450p is now on offer, and more is available. A 22kg hogget is worth £99 at least.

In the marts, southern buyers are still pushing the trade and prices are increasing. In Rathfriland, Tuesday evening, the average was up by 6p or £1.50/head to around £105.

At Kilrea, 400 hoggets made from 400p to 440p/kg, up by 21p to 26p/kg on last week.

Massereene sold 1,267 hoggets, making from 410p to 454p, up by 20p/kg on last week for heavier sorts.

In Saintfield, 422 hoggets sold from 405p to 468p/kg, up by 5p to 8p.

In Rathfriland, a show of 493 hoggets sold from 397p to 454p/kg and averaging 420p, up by 6p/kg.

In Lisahally, the best house-fed Texel hoggets at 28kg made £113/head.

The fat ewe trade has moved up in line with the hogget trade. Top price in Omagh was £140. Swatragh was £140/head for a big sale of 334 ewes. In Massereene, top was £137 and in Saintfield was £118/head. Rathfriland sold 193 ewes to £110/head.

Store lambs in Ballymena, Monday evening, saw Dorsets at £76 and Texels at £73 and £69. The best crossbred in-lamb ewes made £128 and £112, with Suffolks at £108 and Blackface at £105. Ewes with twins at foot made from £132 to £170.