The beef trade remains relatively steady this week, with processors leaving base quotes unchanged. This puts the range of quotes for prime cattle on 348p to 354p/kg for U-3 grading animals.
However, there are early signs that there is a bit more bite from factory agents when it comes to securing numbers this week.
Supplies of good-quality in-spec animals are beginning to tighten after strong throughput levels during the first two months of the year.
Mart managers state they are experiencing a similar trend, with the numbers of heavy cattle starting to tail off. As such, farmers with bigger numbers of cattle have managed to negotiate slightly higher price deals compared with last week.
Most indications are that the majority of cattle are moving freely at 354p to 356p/kg.
More regular sellers are seeing cattle move at 358p to 360p/kg, with some deals including further premiums on top of these prices.
Young bulls are selling close to base price, with 356p/kg available for young bulls under 16 months of age that meet market specification on conformation and carcase weight.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers increased slightly to 349.45p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers was down 2p/kg to 359.2p/kg, but the average price for U3 heifers increased to 360.7p/kg.
Cattle imported from the Republic for slaughter at northern plants was 67. There have been a couple of reports of increased northern buying activity at southern marts this week, mainly in response to domestic supplies tightening.
Cows
Factory demand for cull cows remains robust and agents are keener for numbers. Base quotes for O+3 cows have improved, with 280p to 290p/kg on offer and 300p/kg on R grades. Deals of 305p to 320p/kg are being made depending on numbers and quality.
Hogget trade
The hogget trade has soared this week. The best quotes at the plants are up 40p/kg and 480p/kg is now on offer, with more available. A 22kg hogget is now worth over £105 and more if they pay to 23kg.
In the marts, buyers for southern plants pushed prices up by 45p to 60p/kg.
At Kilrea, 200 hoggets made from 420p to 457p/kg, up by 5p/kg on last week.
Massereene had a small sale of 669 hoggets and prices soared on southern demand. They made 460p to 532p/kg, up by more than 60p/kg. The 532p/kg was for 22kg Dorsets at £117. Texels at 23kg made 510p/kg at £117.50. Heavy lots at 26kg made from £120 to £122.50.
In Saintfield, 564 hoggets sold from 450p to 480p/kg, up by 45p/kg for heavier types. Top price was £121.
In Rathfriland, 595 hoggets sold from 410p to 515p/kg, averaging 463p/kg, up by 39p/kg, which would put a 25kg hogget to £115.
The fat ewe trade is still strong, with good top prices. Top was £112 in Omagh and £114 in Swatragh. In Massereene, top price was £118 for Texels, £112 for Charollais and £109 for Suffolks. In Saintfield, top price was £122 and in Rathfriland it was £125.
Store lambs in Ballymena made from £78 to £95 for Texels and Suffolks. The best in-lamb Texel ewes made £144 and £135, with Suffolks at £138. Suffolks with twins at foot made £158 and £152. Suffolks with triplets made £172 and £168.