After a series of cuts, quotes for clean cattle are steady at the plants this week.

The best quote for U3 grade steers is at 326p, with U3 heifers at 328p/kg.

Others are quoting from a base in the low 320s.

With the July holidays, there is no pressure on factory agents to secure numbers, meaning that deals above quotes are generally limited to 4p to 6p/kg for most suppliers.

However, some agents acknowledge that there are signs of finished cattle numbers starting to tighten.

Last week saw another big kill of 8,177 head, which included 1,841 cows

That can’t happen quickly enough for finishers, as strong kills over the last few weeks have added to downward price pressure.

Last week saw another big kill of 8,177 head, which included 1,841 cows.

For the year to date, the NI kill hasn’t dropped below 8,000 head, except for holiday weeks. Last June, the weekly kill averaged 7,500.

In terms of prices paid, they were down again last week, with steers at 323.37p/kg and heifers at 326.52p/kg.

U3 grading steers averaged 332.2p/kg and U3 heifers 335.9p/kg.

Compared with a month ago, the prices paid for steers and heifers are down 10p to 14p/kg.

The trade in cattle coming in from the south for slaughter last week was 178 head

Compared with the start of the year, prices are back around 17p/kg.

With the trade under pressure both in Ireland and Britain, there is little incentive to trade cattle across borders.

The trade in cattle coming in from the south for slaughter last week was 178 head.

Trade in the opposite direction fell to 82 head.

And no fat cattle went across to Britain for slaughter.

Cow trade

Quotes for fat cows are steady this week.

The best quote for an R grade cow is at 260p/kg, with an O+3 grade cow at 250p/kg, while other quotes are at 255p and 245p/kg.

Last week, the prices paid for R3 and R4 grade cows both averaged over 270p/kg.

Lamb trade

The plants are very cautious with their lamb quotes, with one plant standing on and another applying a cut of 5p. Best quote is at 390p, making a lamb worth £81.90 at the 21kg weight limit. Mart prices are better, with the losses of last week being recouped this week. Rathfriland, Tuesday evening, was up by 17p/kg, and Massereene and Saintfield were both up.

In Saintfield, 405 lambs made 360p to 405p/kg, up by 15p to 25p

In Massereene, 798 lambs made from 348p to 384p/kg, up by 3p to 10p on last week.

In Saintfield, 405 lambs made 360p to 405p/kg, up by 15p to 25p.

Trade in Rathfriland was up and 583 lambs made 365p to 402p/kg, and averaged 376p, up by 17p on last week. Top price was £85 paid for anything from 23kg to 25kg halfweight. Lambs at 21.5kg made £83.50. Store lambs at 16kg and 17kg made 400p or £64 to £68 apiece.

Ewes

The fat ewe trade is steady, with good heavy ewes making £100/head and more.

Swatragh sold to a top of £154 for 512 sold. In Massereene, the top was £100 and in Saintfield was £85. In Rathfriland, the top was £93, followed by a pen of 15 at £90.