Base quotes for fat cattle in the factories are unchanged this week, with a best of 620p for U-3 grading steers and heifers.

That remains behind the actual prices being paid, with factory agents generally quoting 632 to 634p/kg for U-3 grades at the start of the week. More is available to regular suppliers who are generally on prices into the mid to high 630s.

The market has turned, and for the first time since mid-April, last week’s prices paid were up on the previous week. U3 steers averaged 641.3p/kg, up 3.7p, with the same grade heifers averaging 635.1p/kg, up 2.4p.

Across all steers and heifers, the average price paid was 628.6p, up 1.8p/kg on the previous week.

Tight numbers

Sources in the trade suggest that factories would have liked to get prices down closer to 600p/kg to reflect returns from beef markets, but tight numbers have prevented that from happening.

Those are no signs of any uplift in supply in the weeks ahead, although the July holidays mean factory agents are not under any immediate pressure to secure numbers.

Imports

In the short term there isn’t the option of importing much cheaper cattle from the Republic of Ireland for direct slaughter.

Reports suggest prices on offer there are up 10c/kg this week, which is likely to bring prices paid closely into line with NI.

Last week just 203 Irish cattle were imported north for direct slaughter, while 84 were sent in the opposite direction.

In Britain, there is also more positivity in the trade after over two months of price falls. The price paid for U-3 grading heifers last week was up 2.8p/kg to 653.8p/kg.

Steer prices were generally unchanged, although prices paid in Scotland have come into line with the north of England at around 645p/kg for R3 grades.

Cows

Fat cow quotes at NI plants are steady this week ranging from 514p to 540p for an O+ cow. Last week, the prices paid for R3 grading cows averaged 547.5p/kg, with R4 grades at 557.3p/kg.

July holidays

All the factories are closed on Monday 14 July. Dunbia is also closed on Tuesday 15 July.

Prices down for NI lambs

With plenty of lambs on offer in the marts, prices have eased back.

The plants are also back to a best of 670p making a lamb worth £140.70 at 21kg deadweight.

In Gortin, the top of the market was very strong with £198 for 23.8kg, or 831p and £165 for 22.5kg, or 733p. Best at 24kg was £144, or 595p/kg.

In Kilrea, the trade for 1,000 head was lower, making from 613p to 671p/kg, down by 25p for heavier sorts. The 671p was for 22kg at £147.50 with 660p for 21kg at £138 and £137, 652p. The best 23kg weights made 624p at £143.50.

In Markethill, the demand for lambs eased, making from 590p to 640p/kg, down by 13p to 20p on last week. Lambs at 20kg made £125 or 625p/kg with 23kg at £139 or 604p/kg. Heavy lambs at 26kg made £166.50 or 640p/kg with 27kg at £172 or 637p/kg.

In Saintfield, a show of 780 lambs made from 600p to 685p/kg, little change on last week.

Fat ewes

In Gortin the best ewes made from £200 to £234.

In Kilrea the top was £242.

In Markethill, 300 ewes sold to a top of £238 with the main demand for good ewes from £206 to £234.

The best in Saintfield made £248 with others from £180 to £240.

NI sheep: prices down for NI lambs

With plenty of lambs on offer in the marts, prices have eased back. The plants are also back to a best of 670p making a lamb worth £140.70 at 21kg deadweight.

In Gortin, the top of the market was very strong with £198 for 23.8kg, or 831p and £165 for 22.5kg, or 733p. Best at 24kg was £144, or 595p/kg.In Kilrea, the trade for 1,000 head was lower, making from 613p to 671p/kg, down by 25p for heavier sorts.

The 671p was for 22kg at £147.50 with 660p for 21kg at £138 and £137, 652p. The best 23kg weights made 624p at £143.50.In Markethill, the demand for lambs eased, making from 590p to 640p/kg, down by 13p to 20p on last week.

Lambs at 20kg made £125 or 625p/kg with 23kg at £139 or 604p/kg. Heavy lambs at 26kg made £166.50 or 640p/kg with 27kg at £172 or 637p/kg.In Saintfield, a show of 780 lambs made from 600p to 685p/kg, little change on last week.

Fat ewes

In Gortin the best ewes made from £200 to £234.

In Kilrea the top was £242. In Markethill, 300 ewes sold to a top of £238 with the main demand for good ewes from £206 to £234. The best in Saintfield made £248 with others from £180 to £240.