Base quotes for fat cattle in the plants are on the rise this week, with a best quote of 630p for steers and 634p for heifers.

Those quotes are up by 4p to 6p in most cases, with cattle in short supply and factories having to compete with prices paid in the marts.

As a result, 650p is again a realistic starting point for actual prices being paid, with more available for regular suppliers.

Last week, the price paid for U-3 grading steers was up 5.9p/kg to average 647.3p/kg.

The same grade of heifer was up 5.6p to average 648.3p/kg. Across all steers, prices were up 4.3p to 634.8p/kg, while heifers jumped 7.9p to average 636.6p/kg.

Prices in Britain are also rising, although to a lesser extent than in NI. U-3 steers were up 3p last week to average 652.4p/kg, with U-3 heifers up 0.7p to 656.1p/kg.

Tight numbers

However, in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), very tight slaughter numbers are forcing on the prices paid.

Reports suggest a base of 750c to 760c/kg is widely available, with flat deals around the 800c/kg mark.

That price equates to over 660p/kg in NI.

Last week, the price paid for R3 steers in ROI was up 13.7p to average 640.8p/kg, which is just 1.4p/kg behind the same grade in NI and 6.7p/kg behind the R3 steer price in Britain.

With a strong market in ROI, it means there is less incentive to import cattle for direct slaughter in NI.

Last week, just 160 head were imported, while a total of 41 were sent in the opposite direction.

Mart trade

Meantime, in NI marts, prices bid for beef cattle have strengthened significantly in the last four weeks.

In Ballymena, beef bullocks at 890kg made £3,559, with 850kg at £3,345. Beef heifers at 710kg made £2,953, with 690kg at £2,815.

Those heifer prices equate to a factory trade around the 700p/kg mark.

Cows

Fat cow quotes at the plants are steady this week, ranging from 520p to 540p for an O+ cow.

Last week, the price paid for an R3 cow was 568.8p, up 12p/kg. R4 grades averaged 568p/kg, up 16p/kg.

NI sheep: more lambs on offer in NI

Quotes at NI factories have increased to 690p/kg deadweight, making a lamb worth £144.90 at the 21kg limit.

In the marts, prices were held back by very big shows of fat lambs, but stores are a flying trade, particularly in Markethill.

In Gortin, strong prices were bid for heavy lambs, with 31.8kg making £196 or 616p/kg and 30.5kg at £188, also 616p/kg. Lambs at 26.1kg made £168 or 644p/kg, with 25.2kg at £156 or 619p/kg.

Lighter lambs under 22kg had 20.8kg at £139 or 668p/kg, with 22.5kg at £144 or 640p/kg.

Kilrea had a big sale of 1,550 lambs making from 650p to 700p/kg. The 700p was for 21kg at £147, with 23kg making from 675p to 680p at £156. Stores at 16.5kg made 691p or £114/head.

Markethill also had a big sale of 1,410 lambs making from 630p to 683p/kg. The 683p was for 21kg at £143.50, with 680p for 20kg at £136.

Store lambs were a flying trade, with 941p paid for 13.6kg at £128 and 863p for 13.9kg at £120, with others making from 770p to 860p/kg. Stronger stores made to 735p for 17kg at £125.

In Saintfield, 1,120 lambs made from 615p to 700p/kg, while Ballymena saw a more muted trade on Wednesday morning. The best lambs were making from 600p to 624p/kg, with a big run from 564p to 600p.

Fat ewes

A very strong trade in Gortin saw the best ewes making £270 and £282, with a run from £174 to £258.

In Kilrea the top was £238.

In Markethill, good ewes made from £180 to £268, with second quality from £130 to £170.

In Saintfield the top was £235 and in Rathfriland the top was £274.