Quotes for clean cattle are generally steady this week at the factories, with the best quote at 326p/kg for U-3 grading steers and 328p/kg on offer for heifers.

However, more is available to regular suppliers and, in most cases, cattle are moving from a base in the mid-330s.

Deals into the 340s have been done for larger suppliers, with factories especially keen to secure heifers.

Finished cattle numbers are reasonably tight and there are no reports of any significant waiting lists at NI factories..

Last week saw the average price paid for all steers edge up by just under 1p/kg to finish at 324.11p/kg.

The price paid for heifers was also up and averaged 329.4p/kg, although the average paid for young bulls was down marginally, to finish at 311.29p/kg.

Across all R3 heifers, price averaged 336.5p/kg, with R3 grade steers at 334.2p/kg.

Those prices are 10p to 20p/kg ahead of what is being paid in the Republic of Ireland, on a par with prices in Wales and middle England, but marginally behind prices in the north of England and Scotland.

With the euro strong against sterling, leading to a differential in prices across Ireland, more cattle are coming north for slaughter.

Last week saw 467 cattle imported for direct slaughter, the biggest weekly import figure since the end of January.

In addition, 120 cattle came across the Irish Sea from Britain to boost the local kill.

However, the trade in the opposite direction has collapsed and only 153 cattle from Northern Ireland have been taken for direct slaughter in Britain so far in 2019.

Cow trade

The trade in fat cows remains very steady, with a best quote for an R grade cow at 260p/kg.

For an O+3 grade cow the best quote is at 250p/kg.

Other plants are at 255p and 245p/kg respectively.

Last week, the prices paid for R3 grading cows averaged 273.5p/kg, with R4 grades at 274p/kg.

Lamb trade

The lamb trade has firmed this week in the marts by 10p/kg. Quotes at the plants are also up, by 5p at 375p, making a lamb worth £78.75 for 21kg halfweight.

In Kilrea, 550 lambs made from 340p to 388p/kg, up by 10p/kg.

In Massereene, 973 lambs made from 350p to 375p/kg, up by 10p to 15p/kg.

In Saintfield, 655 lambs made from 335p to 410p/kg, up by 5p to 10p/kg.

Rathfriland had a big show and 1,035 lambs made 344p to 401p/kg, and averaged 370p/kg, up by 10p on last week.

In Lisahally, the trade was steady, with good lambs at 23.5kg to 25kg making £79 to £82.

Ewes

There were more ewes on offer in the marts, but demand is holding up well for good lowland ewes. The top price in Omagh was £99. Swatragh sold to a top of £145 for 800 sold. In Massereene, the top was £110 for 222 sold and in Saintfield the top was £90. In Rathfriland, the top was £100 for 200 head sold.

Store lambs in Ballymena made from £70 to £77 for the top Texels, Suffolks and Mules.

Read more

There is not a huge margin in beef for anybody – UCD professor

BETTER farm: getting set for autumn calving