Prices on finished cattle are holding firm, although some cattle agents have indicated that numbers are not as freely available as previous weeks.

That said, they have been able to source adequate numbers without any real movement on prices paid.

In-spec heifers in particular have been harder to source and where farmers have a good supply of butcher-type animals to offload, there is greater scope to negotiate for higher prices.

Base quotes on U-3 grading animals are holding at 426p/kg, which is down 4p/kg from the top-end quotes available last week.

Price deals on steers are holding around 436p/kg for farmers with limited numbers and 438p/kg on offer where bigger numbers can be supplied. Regular finishers are securing 440p/kg.

Heifers are generally moving around the 440p/kg mark, with 2p to 4p/kg more for regular finishers with butcher-type animals.

Farmers offloading young bulls report that factory agents are less flexible when negotiating for higher prices.

As bulls approach the 16-month age limit, factory agents are using this to keep a tight lid on prices, with 434p to 436p/kg generally on offer.

Prime cattle prices are lagging behind those in Britain, where U3 grading heifers in Scotland are making 452p to 454p/kg, with prices in England closer to 450p/kg. Steers are making 5p to 6p/kg less.

Last week, the average price in Northern Ireland for steers and heifers across all grades was marginally higher at 423.92p/kg.

On U3 grading cattle, steers eased by 0.8p to 437.3p/kg, with heifers at the same grade edging upwards by 0.4p to 440p/kg. Young bulls improved by 1.2p to 432.1p/kg.

Cows

The cull cow trade is also holding firm, although there are plenty of animals originating from dairy herds coming on to the market. Quotes on R3 cows are steady on 365p/kg, with O+3 animals on 350p/kg. Price deals are running 10p to 20p/kg ahead of quotes, with R3 cows averaging 379.5p/kg.

NI sheep: lamb prices recover

Lamb prices have received a welcome increase this week, with a downturn in supply and increased competition from agents buying for southern plants.

Factory quotes are officially up 5p at 490p/kg, making a lamb worth £102.90 for 21kg deadweight. But 495p/kg and 500p/kg is freely available.

In Kilrea, 500 lambs sold from 432p to 460p/kg, down 6p/kg on last week. Lambs at 24kg half-weight made £107.50.

There was an improved trade in Massereene, with 741 head sold from 425p to 454p/kg, up 8p/kg to 14p/kg. Lambs at 24kg made £109, 22.5kg at £101, 28.5kg made £112, with 26.5kg making £109.50.

In Saintfield, 750 lambs sold from 440p to 490p/kg, up 5p/kg on last week. Heavy lambs at 26kg to 28kg made £114 to £116, 25kg sold to £109, with 24.5kg to £104. Lambs at 22kg sold to £97, with 21kg selling to £93 and 19.5kg at £85.

In Rathfriland, 812 lambs sold from 430p to 500p/kg and averaged 450p/kg, up 8p/kg on last week.

At Ballymena on Wednesday morning, the trade was brighter. Heavy lambs at 27.5kg and 28kg made from £114.50 to £128. Lambs at 26kg made £110, with 22.5kg making £100. Prizewinning Charollais lambs weighing 24.5kg and 24kg made £113 and £110.

Ewes

Processing demand for fat ewes is steady, with prices reflecting quality. In Kilrea, ewes topped £148.

In Massereene, the trade was easier, with a top of £130 for Suffolks, with Texel, Blue de Maine and Blue Leicester ewes at £120. Charollais made £105, with Mules at £96.

In Saintfield, top price was £153, with others making £110 to £148. In Rathfriland, top was £154.