Beef prices steady as cattle numbers increase

Beef processors have sent mixed signals to farmers this week, with one plant adding 2p/kg to its quote, while other plants cut their base by a similar amount. This puts prime cattle quotes on 350p/kg rising to 354p/kg for U-3 grade heifers.

Supplies of finished cattle coming on to the market are rising, making it easier for cattle agents to secure numbers.

However, demand for beef is holding strong. Agents are still actively looking for finished cattle and this is helping to keep prices reasonably steady, despite the greater availability of cattle.

Most farmers report that plants are working from a starting price of 352p/kg for in-spec animals, although there have been reports of 350p/kg being paid to farmers with very limited numbers.

Good-quality animals are making 354p to 356p/kg, with deals of 358p/kg for in-spec heifers at the top of the market for finishers with bigger numbers. Dairy-bred cattle are in demand, with prices of 340p/kg on offer.

Last week, the prime cattle kill totalled 6,510, up by 420 head on the previous week and the highest kill since early June. The weekly cow kill of 2,141 is the highest since early February.

With a price differential opening between Britain and Northern Ireland, there are more cattle moving to Britain for slaughter.

Over the past week, 164 cattle were shipped to plants in Britain where beef prices are holding at 400p/kg in Scotland and 385p/kg in England for R4L animals.

Meanwhile, imports from the Republic have fallen as demand for cattle sharpens south of the border. Just 312 were imported compared with 439 the previous week.

Cows

The cow trade is steady, with quotes for O+3 animals on 265p to 275p/kg, while R grade cows are 280p/kg. Prices for good-quality fleshed cows are still 290p to 300p/kg.

Lamb trade

The lamb trade has eased a little and the quote is 380p/kg payable to 21kg.

In the marts, prices were down at the start of the week, but were largely unchanged by midweek.

In Kilrea, 520 lambs sold from 323p to 335p/kg, down by 22p/kg on last week.

Massereene sold 1,126 lambs from 325p to 358p/kg, down by 10p/kg on last week.

In Saintfield, 759 lambs sold from 326p to 368p/kg, little change on last week.

The sale in Rathfriland saw 890 lambs making from 326p to 400p/kg and averaging 348p/kg, down 2p/kg on last week.

The top prices for fat ewes are holding up well, with some increases in top prices. Ewes sold to a top of £76/head in Newtownstewart and to £122 in Swatragh. Omagh had a very big sale with 596 ewes selling to a top of £103. In Kilrea, the top price was £72.50 and in Massereene it was £89. In Saintfield, they made £80, while in Rathfriland the top for 135 head was £80.

In Ballymena, Monday evening, the best store Mules (pen of 61) made £65.50. Texel and Suffolks made from £56 to £62/head. The best Suffolk breeding hoggets made from £160 to £165. The best Mule ewe lambs made £135 with others to £128 a head.