There is little change to cattle prices this week, with base quotes holding at 326p to 334p/kg for U-3 grading cattle.

However, there are still deals on offer for in-spec animals, with farmers reporting similar arrangements to last week on prime cattle.

This keeps prime steers moving from a starting price of 338p, rising to 342p/kg, with higher prices reserved for larger, more regular finishers.

Young bulls are moving from 336p to 338p/kg for good-quality suckler-bred animals under 400kg carcase weight. Overweight bulls, or those running overage, are being heavily discounted. Heifers are moving at prices of 344p to 346p/kg, while at the upper end of the market, finishers offloading bigger numbers of cattle on a more regular basis are pushing prices into 350p/kg.

Cattle supplies are finely balanced between supply and demand, thereby keeping a lid on any real price movement.

Reports indicate that the bulk of cattle currently coming on to the market are being sourced from larger finishing units and this is underpinning throughput. The mix of cattle being processed is also seeing a greater percentage of animals with some level of dairy influence. As such, there are farmers indicating they have been contacted by cattle agents looking for prime cattle meeting market specifications to fill orders. Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers saw a small increase of 0.7p to 333.6p/kg.

The average price paid on steers saw significant price increases on good-quality cattle, with U3 grading animals rising by 2.7p to 341.5p/kg.

There was minor upward movement on heifers, with U3 animals up by 0.2/kg to 346.1p/kg, while young bulls were unchanged on 327.4p/kg.

Cows

Processing demand for cull cows is steady, with factory quotes holding on 260p/kg for R3 grading animals, with O+3 cows on 250p/kg. Last week, the average price paid on R3 cows was 277.8p/kg.

Hogget trade

The hogget trade is strengthening, with quotes rising by 10p/kg, putting the top quote on 435p/kg for 22kg, making a hogget worth £95.70.

Prices paid in the marts are rising, with buyers for southern plants driving the trade.

In Kilrea, 330 hoggets sold from 383p to 429p/kg, up by 5p to 9p/kg on the week.

Massereene had a small show of 636 hoggets, resulting in a very strong trade, with prices from 410p to 454p/kg, up by 25p to 34p/kg, with lambs at 22kg making £100/head. Top price was £106 paid for multiple pens, with £101 to £102 paid for 23kg and £98 and £99 paid for lighter lots.

In Saintfield, 688 hoggets sold from 400p to 473p/kg, up by 20p to 50p/kg.

Rathfriland had a show of 600 hoggets selling in a sharp trade. They made from 405p to 470p/kg, with a sale average of 417p/kg, up by 17p/kg.

Ewes

Demand for fat ewes continues to grow, with very good top prices. The top in Omagh was £119 for 65 head sold. In Swatragh, the top was £145 for 280 head sold. In Massereene, the top was £130 for Texels, £110 for Suffolks, £100 for Dorsets and £62 for Blackface ewes. In Kilrea, the top was £106, while in Saintfield, it was £130 and in Rathfriland, ewes made £149.

Breeding sheep in Ballymena were a strong trade. Topping the market for ewes with lambs at foot was prices ranging from £200 to £230. Springers sold to £172 and the best store lambs made from £79 to £92/head.

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