There have been a few rumblings of slaughter-fit cattle being slightly harder to source this week, leading factory agents to become more flexible on price.

A similar trend appears to be developing in Britain, with local plants looking to fill any gaps in the supply chain.

However, base quotes have been left unchanged, keeping prime cattle on a top quote of 426p/kg for U-3 grading animals.

Steers continue to open on 436p/kg, but there are more farmers reporting deals being made at 438p to 440p/kg where bigger numbers can be supplied.

Heifers are moving at similar levels of 438p to 440p/kg, with regular finishers and farmers with butcher-type animals indicating 2p/kg more is available. Young bulls and cattle falling outside of the specification for the retail sector are being held around 430p/kg.

Processing plants will close on Monday 19 September for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, then resume normal activity from Tuesday onwards.

Last week, the average price paid across steers and heifers of all conformation increased by 1.1p/kg to 425p/kg.

On U3 grading animals, steers improved by 0.7p/kg to average 438p/kg. In contrast, heifers at the same grade eased by 1.4p/kg to 438.6p/kg, with young bulls down 1.1p/kg to average 431p/kg.

There has been a sharp increase in the number of slaughter-fit cattle imported from the Republic of Ireland last week, with 763 animals crossing the border for processing at local plants, the highest weekly import figure for two years.

Wholesalers were extremely active for Irish cattle, capitalising on the price gap between Irish plants and local factories, as well as the level of demand from the food service sector.

Cows

Demand for cull cows remains robust, with prices continuing to run well ahead of base quotes, which are holding firm at 365p/kg for R3 animals and 350p/kg for O+3 cows. Price deals on good-quality suckler cows continue to hover around the 380p/kg mark.

NI sheep: lamb prices edging upwards

There is more positivity within the sheep trade this week, with lamb prices up 10p/kg, fuelled by intense competition in the live ring.

Factories have improved quotes by 5p to 495p/kg, making lambs worth £103.95 for 21kg deadweight. However, deals of 500p to 510p/kg are common to keep pace with the marts.

In Kilrea, 730 lambs sold from 442p to 487p/kg, up 10p/kg on last week. Heavy lambs at 25kg made £112.

In Massereene, 832 lambs made 439p to 462p/kg, up 14p/kg on last week. Lambs at 23kg made £106, with 26.5kg at £111 and 28kg to £110.

In Saintfield, 717 lambs sold from 450p to 500p/kg, up 10p/kg. Top prices for heavy lambs at 28.75kg was £124.50 and 25kg at £120. Lambs at 23kg sold to £107, with 21kg to £97. Lambs at 18kg sold to £84.50.

In Rathfriland, 912 lambs sold from 442p to 544p/kg, averaging 452p/kg, up 2p/kg on last week.

At Ballymena, lambs at 26kg to 27.5kg made £108, 25kg made £108.50, with 24kg at £105.50.

Ewes

Fat ewes are an improved trade. In Kilrea, the top price was £164. In Massereene, the top was £144, with Suffolk ewes to £115, Texels to £112, Charollais £95, Mules £91 and Blackface to £57.

In Saintfield, top was £172, with the main run on £120 to £150. In Rathfriland, top was £166.

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