As beef processors ramp up throughput ahead of the Christmas period, there is a bit more life in the beef trade this week.

While cattle agents are keener to source additional numbers, they are reluctant to offer any kind of price increase.

However, with plants looking to increase throughput, most farmers indicate that the backlog of cattle has been cleared and they are experiencing little difficulty in getting cattle booked for slaughter.

One plant has added 2p/kg on to their base quote this week, while the remainder of plants are unchanged. This leaves the range of quotes on 350p to 354p/kg for U-3 grade cattle.

However, most plants are working on a base of 354p/kg and securing cattle from farmers with smaller numbers at this price.

Other farmers who have a steadier supply of finished cattle coming on to the market are faring better on price.

Several farmers report deals of 4p to 6p/kg over base, while farmers who have a good supply of in-spec animals have secured as high as 362p/kg earlier this week.

Cattle moving to Britain for slaughter are seeing prices of 370p to 380p/kg in England, while prices paid in Scotland last week were running well above the 390p/kg mark.

The level of price deals on offer for cattle are reflected in the average prices paid for cattle at present. The average price paid on steers and heifers last week was 348.93p/kg, up by 1p/kg on the previous week. The average price paid on U3 steers was 359p/kg with U3 heifers on 361.3p/kg.

Beef price across the EU is currently averaging 356.9p/kg on U3 steers and 359.1p/kg on U3 heifers.

Cows

With strong demand for manufacturing beef, cull cow prices are holding strong. Quotes range from 265p to 275p/kg for O+3 grade animals, with R3 cows on a base of 280p/kg.

Lamb trade

The lamb trade has improved this week, with some plants offering an increase of 5p/kg. This puts the best quote on 380p/kg payable to 21kg, making a lamb worth £79.80 at the weight limit. An increase in the weight limit to 22kg is in prospect in about two weeks time.

In the marts, prices earlier this week were similar to last week. By Tuesday evening, in Rathfriland, prices were up by 5p/kg.

In Kilrea, 420 lambs sold from 336p to 345p/kg, down 3p/kg for heavier lambs.

Massereene sold 923 lambs making from 325p to 358p/kg, down by 5p/kg for heavier lambs.

In Saintfield, a sale of 986 lambs made from 322p to 378p/kg, little changed from last week.

Rathfriland had a sale of 815 lambs making from 327p to 395p/kg and averaging 347p/kg, up 5p/kg on last week; putting £1 to £1.30 on to the value of a lamb.

The top prices for fat ewes increased slightly in some marts. Ewes sold to a top of £71 in Newtownstewart and £83 in Swatragh. Omagh sold to £106/head. In Kilrea, the top was £80; and in Massereene it was £90/head. In Saintfield, the top was £80; and in Rathfriland it was £77 for a small sale of 57 head.