The beef trade is holding steady for another week, with processors leaving base quotes unchanged. This keeps the range of quotes at 348p to 354p/kg for U-3 grade cattle.

Supplies of finished cattle coming on to the market have increased over the past two weeks. However, it has not resulted in any significant pressure which is to be welcomed.

Demand for manufacturing beef is solid and undoubtedly underpinning beef prices at present.

Farmers report factories are offering deals similar to last week, with most plants working from a starting base of 354p/kg on steers and heifers. Young bulls are moving at 2p/kg less.

Price deals are on offer, but mostly limited to 356p to 358p/kg on steers, while farmers are managing to squeeze 360p/kg on prime heifers at the upper end of the market.

Deals above these prices are restricted to larger finishers who are selling cattle on a regular basis.

Breeds that qualify for price premiums are still selling at prices in excess of 400p/kg, while plainer-bred cattle are selling from 340p to 345p/kg depending on quality.

Last week, the average price on steers and heifers was relatively static on 348.33p/kg.

The average price on U3 steers was 358.5p/kg, with U3 heifers averaging 362.3p/kg, an increase of 1p/kg on the previous week.

Slaughter cattle imported from the Republic fell by 50 head to 128.

Slaughter cattle imported from Britain fell to 98 head. Cattle moving from Northern Ireland to Britain totalled 191 head, the highest figure for the year to date.

Beef prices in Britain have eased by 2p/kg this week, but R4L animals are still on 394p to 396p/kg in Scotland and 380p to 384p/kg in England.

Cows

Quotes for cows are unchanged, with O+3 animals on 265p to 270p/kg with R3 animals on a base of 275p to 280p/kg.

Lamb trade

Lamb prices continue to weaken and factories have taken a further 10p/kg off their quotes. Base quotes are now on 360p/kg payable to 21kg carcase weight, making a lamb worth £75.60 at the weight limit.

There were more lambs forward at the marts and prices have weakened by up to 25p/kg.

In Kilrea, 450 lambs sold from 300p to 316p/kg, down by 22p/kg for heavier lambs and 13p/kg for lighter types.

Massereene sold 1,076 lambs, making from 300p to 325p, down by 25p/kg.

In Saintfield, a sale of 525 lambs made from 300p to 345p/kg, down by 14p/kg on the week. The best prices per head were £78.50 and £77 for 25kg to 26kg. Lambs at 23kg made £72 and £71.50, with 22kg at £67.

Rathfriland had a big sale, with 1,000 lambs making from 290p to 371p/kg and averaging 320p/kg, down 15p/kg on last week.

The top prices for fat ewes are steady, mostly in the range £85 to £95/head. They sold to a top of £95/head in Newtownstewart and to £85 in Swatragh. Omagh had a big sale, with 493 ewes selling to £95. In Kilrea, the top price was £65. In Massereene, the top was £89/head, while in Saintfield the top was £90 and in Rathfriland it was £80.