There has been some upward movement in the beef trade this week, with one plant adding 2p/kg to its base quote.

Official quotes start at 336p/kg rising to 348p/kg for U-3 grade cattle.

Demand is steady and indications are that numbers were tight at the start of the week, pushing agents into increasing their price. As the week progressed, some buying agents indicated that it had been easier to source cattle, with numbers just about meeting demand.

Most processors have been buying prime cattle from a starting price of 346p/kg this week. There is 2p to 6p/kg above this available for farmers with a good supply of cattle. Age and spec of cattle is also helping to negotiate a higher price also.

Young bulls are generally moving at 344p to 348p/kg, with agents reluctant to take bulls weighing over 400kg carcase weight.

Traditional breeds that qualify for premiums under specific schemes are moving at base price.

Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers was unchanged at 340.96p/kg. The price paid on U3 steers was 353.4p/kg, with heifers on 355.3p/kg.

Due to the bank holiday weekend, the weekly kill fell to 7,840, with the prime kill accounting for 6,127 head, down 400 on the previous week. The cow kill dropped to 1,572 head.

Imports

Cattle imported from Britain last week for direct slaughter stood at 126 head. Cattle imported from Ireland for direct slaughter was 227 head.

Imports from south of the border now stand at 2,431 head for the year to date, compared with 5,176 last year.

Cows

As with the prime cattle trade, there are no changes in cow prices. Official quotes are still on 245p to 250p/kg for O+3 cows, with R grade cows on 250p to 260p/kg. Prices for good-quality R grade cows are still well ahead of quotes, with several reports of plants offering 270 to 275p/kg.

Hogget trade

One plant has increased its quote this week by 5p to 405p/kg. In the marts, there were a few more hoggets on show and prices increased.

Kilrea had a sale of 300 hoggets selling from 358p to 390p/kg, no change on last week. Massereene had a sale of 826 hoggets making from 360p to 400p/kg, up 5p to 10p/kg. In Saintfield, they had a sale of 388 hoggets making from 340p to 380p/kg, up 8p/kg for lighter hoggets.

In Rathfriland, a show of 287 hoggets sold from 324p to 380p/kg. The average price was 360p/kg, which was up by 5p/kg on last week. Top price was £91.50/head, with a number of pens making £90.

Ewes

The trade in fat ewes remains very buoyant and top prices were up by £5 to £10/head. They sold to a top of £109 in Swatragh; to £137 in Omagh; to £94 in Kilrea; and to £118 in Massereene. In Saintfield, 104 ewes sold to a top of £90; Rathfriland had a big show of 287 ewes with the best making from £95 to £105.

In Ballymena, Monday evening, the trade was steady. The best store hoggets sold to £76/head. The best in-lamb crossbred ewes made £132 and £128. Suffolks made £110. The best ewes with twin lambs made from £150 to £190.