Northern view: NI base cattle quotes on the rise

Base quotes for clean cattle at the factories are showing rises this week. The best quote is at 338p/kg for U-3 grade steers and heifers, a rise of 6p, while others are at 336p/kg, a rise of 2p.

The strong numbers of cattle coming forward for slaughter has passed and factory agents are having to work a little harder to secure stock.

With demand picking up as factories prepare for Christmas, the market has turned in the favour of farmers.

Farmers report deals are into the low- to mid-340s, with regular suppliers offering butcher-type heifers working on a base for U-3 grades into the 350s.

Given the weakness of sterling against the euro, Irish cattle are not proving attractive to NI factories.

Also, there remains a strong loyalty to UK beef from the major British supermarkets.

It means that the number of cattle coming in from the south for slaughter last week all but dried up at only 14 head last week.

On the other hand, the strong euro meant that trade in the opposite direction was sizeable at 177 head. The trade across to Britain for slaughter was also reasonably high at 152 head.

Over the last few weeks, the prices paid for cattle in NI have been relatively static due to the strong numbers coming forward.

The total cattle kill last week of 9,729 was up 446 head on the previous week and was the largest weekly kill since October 2013. The cow kill at 2,637, was the largest weekly kill since October 2012.

Despite that, prices paid actually firmed slightly, with steers and heifers up 0.5p to average 332.07p/kg.

Quotes in the plants for fat cows show no change this week and the best quote for an O+3 grade cow is 245p/kg, with others quoting 240p/kg. The best quote for an R grade is at 250p/kg.

Lamb trade

The trade in fat lambs is steady this week and the factories are at 375p and 380p/kg. But, for next week, one plant is indicating 370p.

This is in response to weaker lamb prices in England, but whether they achieve any reduction remains to be seen, given the strong competition from southern buyers armed with euros worth 89p.

In the marts, there were fewer lambs on offer, but the prices bid showed little change from last week.

Kilrea had a sale of 540 lambs (60 lambs fewer than last week) selling from 324p to 363p/kg, no change for the main weight range, although up 13p for the lightest store lambs.

Massereene sold 1,176 lambs (70 fewer), making from 325p to 364p, no change.

Saintfield had a sale of 707 head (264 fewer) and they made from 324p to 374p, no change.

In Rathfriland, Tuesday evening, the sale had 1,054 lambs (230 less) and trade was very slightly weaker. Prices averaged 346p/kg, down by 2p on last week, and the range was 321p to 399p/kg.

Ewes

The trade in fat ewes in the marts is back a bit, but the market is still paying good prices for ewes in fat condition. Top in Newtownstewart was £70; in Omagh £74 for a show of 176 ewes; in Swatragh was £84; in Kilrea £72; in Massereene was £84; and in Saintfield was £88 a head. In Rathfriland, the top for 151 ewes sold was £70.