There is little change to factory prices on finished cattle this week, with supplies generally in line with processing demand.

Processors have again left the top end of base quotes unchanged at 324p/kg to 326p/kg for U-3 grading cattle, with the lower end of quotes 10p/kg below this at 314p/kg.

With a reasonably steady trade, most reports indicate steers are moving off farm at a starting price of 436p/kg for farmers with limited numbers.

Farmers selling cattle on a more regular arrangement indicate 438p to 440p/kg is available. Negotiating above the outlined prices is hard to achieve without bigger numbers on offer.

Heifers continue to fare 2p/kg to 4p/kg better than steers, with prices generally floating between 440p and 442p/kg.

There are reports of 444p/kg for butcher-type heifers, but tight carcase specifications have to be met in return.

Young bulls are also a steady trade, with deals starting around 432p/kg and some reports of 436p/kg to 438p/kg for regular finishers.

Farmers offloading Angus stock indicate factory agents are sticking rigidly to official base quotes.

Cattle running outside of market spec on carcase weight and conformation are moving from a base in line with the upper end of factory quotes.

Last week, the average price paid across steers and heifers of all grades marginally increased by 0.6p/kg to 426.75p/kg.

On U3 steers, prices fell by 2.8p/kg to average 437.7p/kg, while young bulls eased by 1.6p/kg to average 431.2p/kg.

In contrast, heifers at the same grade strengthened by 1p/kg, with the average price paid at 442.2p/kg.

The weekly kill totalled 8,698 head, of which 6,509 were prime cattle and 1,944 were cull cows.

Cows

Processing demand for cull cows is extremely firm. Quotes for R3 animals remain on 365p/kg, with O+3 cows on 355p/kg.

Deals continue to start around 380p/kg for good-quality suckler types, with R3 animals averaging 382.2p/kg.

NI sheep: firm prices with deals on offer

Buying demand for slaughter-fit lambs has increased in the live ring and despite an upturn in throughput, prices are up £2 to £3/head.

Factory quotes have edged upwards by 5p/kg to 500p/kg, making lambs worth £105 for 21kg deadweight, as local plants compete with factory agents buying for southern plants.

In Kilrea, 1,100 lambs sold from 450p to 493p/kg, no change on last week. Lambs at 22kg made £108.50 and £106.50, with 23kg at £108, 25kg sold to £114 and 24kg to £109.

In Massereene, 1,160 head made 450p to 488p/kg, up 18p/kg on last week. Lambs at 21kg made £102.50, 22kg at £103.50 and 25kg making £116.

In Saintfield, 940 lambs sold from 450p to 500p/kg, up 5p/kg for heavier lambs. Top prices for 29kg to 35kg were £121 to £126, 26kg made £113, 24kg to £108, 23kg to £105 and 18kg sold to £86.

In Rathfriland, a show of 1,174 lambs sold from 450p to 510p/kg with a sale average of 460p/kg, up 7p/kg on last week.

Ewes

The trade for fat ewes showed some improvement this week.

In Kilrea, the top price was £166. In Massereene, £138 was paid for Suffolks, with Vendéen to £120, Texels to £115 and Mules to £114.

In Saintfield, top price was £151, with others making £100 to £145. In Rathfriland, top was £192.

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