Northern view: cattle quotes continue to hold in NI

Most of the factories are maintaining price quotes unchanged this week, although one plant has shaved 2p off its quote.

Best quotes are at 350p for both U-3 grade steers and heifers, with next best at 346p/kg.

However, farmers continue to sell cattle at 4p/kg to 10p/kg above base quote for prime cattle, with the best deals available generally for in-spec heifers. Young continental bulls are also being sold above base, but 2p/kg to 6p/kg is covering most deals being made this week.

Dairy-bred cattle are being held relatively close to base, especially for cattle that qualify for breed-specific premiums.

While factory agents are generally keen to get prices down, finished cattle numbers remain tight and with mart sales only getting back to normal trading this week, processors have not had the option of sourcing extra numbers through the live ring.

Therefore, some factory agents are relying heavily on cull cows to maintain throughput, while others struggle to meet their quota on prime cattle despite offering deals on price, weight and, in some instances, transport costs.

Despite this, prices paid last week for prime cattle did come back 4p/kg on the previous week when factories had to pay more to secure supplies during the holiday period. Steers and heifers averaged 348.03p/kg last week, although U3 steers still averaged 357.2p/kg and U3 heifers 360.4p/kg respectively, which is 10p/kg ahead of the best quote.

Cow trade

Quotes for fat cows are showing increases with 4p and 5p added at two plants. The best quote for an O+3 grade cow is 250p/kg, with others quoting 245p and 244p/kg. The best quote for an R grade is at 260p/kg with others on 250p/kg. Reports from farmers suggest that 270p/kg is still widely available for well-fleshed R grading cows. Last week, R grades averaged 272p/kg.

Hogget trade

The quote for hoggets at one factory has slipped by 5p this week. Quotes are now 370p and 365p/kg for up to 22kg deadweight.

In the marts, prices are steady or down slightly. With the euro strengthening this week, southern buyers are well placed to bid.

Kilrea had 385 lambs selling from 328p to 348p, which was down 12p on their last pre-Christmas sale.

Massereene sold 1,086, making from 330p to 380p, which was unchanged on pre-Christmas.

In Saintfield, Tuesday, they sold 445 hoggets, making from 320p to 380p, no change on last week. £80 to £82 was paid for 25kg, £79 for 23kg and £76 and £77 for 22kg.

Rathfriland, Tuesday evening, sold 600 hoggets at prices that were little changed on last week.

Fat ewes sold to a top of £86 in Newtownstewart, £92 in Swatragh and to £97 in Omagh. In Kilrea, they made to £90, in Massereene to £86 and to £88/head in Saintfield.

In Ballymena, Monday evening, the best store lambs sold from £59 to £70/head. Best ewes with twin lambs at foot made from £170 to £190 for the outfit.