After a number of weeks when prices have been under pressure, there are some indications that the trade might be about to turn more in the favour of farmers.

While most factories report sufficient numbers for this week, into next week it looks like finished cattle numbers could tighten.

In response, quotes at one plant have already increased by 2p/kg, but are steady elsewhere. The best quote for U3 grades is at 352p for steers and at 354p for heifers.

Base quotes

Most regular suppliers continue to work at 6p/kg above these base quotes, leaving in-spec butcher-type heifers into the low 360s for U-3 grades.

That is reflected in the prices paid last week, with U3 steers averaging 355.4p/kg, but heifers at 361.1p/kg. Across all steers, prices averaged 346.97p/kg, with heifers at 351.30p/kg, both virtually unchanged from the previous week.

In terms of imports and exports, the trade in cattle from the South saw 69 head coming in for slaughter last week.

Trade in the opposite direction was up at 183 head; and 80 cattle were recorded as going across to Britain for slaughter.

Prices there have also been on the slide in recent weeks, and are back 12 to 15p/kg since the middle of June.

Larger gaps

However, on average, they remain 5 to 10p/kg ahead of here, with larger gaps for top end grades. Reports from Britain suggest that the trade has now bottomed out as finished cattle numbers are also starting to tighten.

Cow trade

The fat cow trade is steady this week. The best quote for an R grade is at 280p/kg with others on 270p. The best quote for an O+3 grade cow is at 270p/kg, with others on 265p/kg. However, last week the prices paid for good-quality beef cows were up, with R3s averaging 285 and R4s 290.4p/kg.

Lamb trade

The lamb trade has stabilised this week and the plants have held their quotes. Quotes are at 405p, making a lamb worth £85.05 at the 21kg limit.

In most of the marts, there were fewer lambs forward. Prices were steady at some marts and edged up at others.

In Kilrea, they sold 500 lambs from 360p to 387p/kg, up by 10p for lighter lambs. Massereene sold 967 lambs making from 364p to 398p/kg, up by 4p for heavier lambs. In Saintfield, 850 lambs made from 356p to 385p/kg, up by 6p for heavier lambs.

At Rathfriland, they had 905 lambs on offer, selling from 330p to 395p/kg. The overall average was 363p, the same as last week.

Per head, the average was £83.50. There were big numbers of fat ewes in the marts but the trade is firm, and top prices were up at some marts.

Top price in Newtownstewart was £96. Omagh sold 592 head to a top of £105. Swatragh sold 585 head to a top of £100. The best price in Kilrea was £82 and in Massereene it was £114 for a sale of 240 head. Saintfield had a sale of 175 ewes selling to £103. In Rathfriland, they sold 323 head to £100. In the store lamb sale in Ballymena, Store Suffolks sold to a top of £73 a head. Texels sold to £71 and Charollais made to £70.