NI trends: higher prices on offer for in-spec cattle; lamb prices holding steady

Prices for finished cattle continue to edge upwards, despite processing plants leaving base quotes unchanged on 346p/kg on U-3 grading animals.

Processors are trying to keep a lid on the trade indicating they are getting more cattle.

However, farmers continue to report that buying agents remain in frequent contact looking to source numbers.

Where farmers are offloading young bulls, reports indicate that 358p/kg has been paid on animals meeting specifications on weight limits

Despite quotes holding, deals are running well ahead of base prices. Where 350p/kg was widely available as a starting price last week, farmers report that plants have raised this to an opening price of 354p to 356p/kg.

Where farmers are offloading young bulls, reports indicate that 358p/kg has been paid on animals meeting specifications on weight limits with more regular finishers securing 360p/kg.

Price deals on steers start from 360p/kg, with 364p to 366p/kg on offer for bigger numbers of in-spec animals.

Heifers are moving off farm at deals close to 370p/kg for regular finishers, with wholesalers in particular extremely competitive on price.

The has also been a noticeable increase in the presence of wholesalers buying cattle south of the border, where factory prices have been relatively flat over the past fortnight.

This is reflect by a dramatic rise in the number of Irish cattle imported for direct slaughter at NI plants.

Official price reports indicate the average price paid on steers and heifers rose by 2p to 347.78p/kg last week

Last week, imports totalled 1,039 head which was the highest weekly figure since October 2014.

Official price reports indicate the average price paid on steers and heifers rose by 2p to 347.78p/kg last week, with U3 steers rising by a similar amount to 355.8p/kg.

For heifers, the average price paid on U3 animals jumped by 5p to 361p/kg with young bulls up 2.8p to 350.5p/kg.

Cows

Demand for cull cows remains strong with processors holding quotes on 275p/kg for R3 animals with 10p/kg less for O+3 cows.

However, deals for R grade cows start from 300p/kg with 310p/kg on offer, while U grading cows are making 10p to 20p/kg more.

Lamb trade

With more lambs available, quotes for fat lambs are steady this week on 470p and 475p/kg, making lambs worth £99.75 at the 21kg weight limit.

In the marts, numbers were generally steady and prices paid were little changed week on week.

In Kilrea, 370 lambs sold from 459p to 471p/kg, up 11p/kg for heavier lambs on the week.

Rathfriland had a show of 700 lambs selling from 441p to 474p/kg, averaging 458p/kg

Massereene sold 667 lambs from 445p to 470p/kg, up 5p/kg. In Saintfield, 408 lambs made 440p to 480p/kg, little changed on last week. Lambs at 24kg and 25kg made £100 to £103, with 22kg making £98 and 20kg on £90, £91 and £96/head.

Rathfriland had a show of 700 lambs selling from 441p to 474p/kg, averaging 458p/kg which was down 6p/kg on last week. The average per head (including lambs at 18kg and 19kg) was £98.41 at an average weight of 21.5kg. A big run at 22kg made £98 to £100/head.

Ewes

Well-fleshed fat ewes are still a good trade with improved top prices in most marts. Omagh sold ewes to £88 and Swatragh sold to £146. In Kilrea, ewes made £133.

In Massereene, the top was £135 and in Saintfield, the top was £123 with the main run from £80 to £100. In Rathfriland, ewes sold to £145 with others at £128 and a pen of Suffolk crosses making £97.

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