The best base quotes in the plants are no change at 584p/kg for a U-3 steer and at 586p/kg for a U-3 grade heifer.

However, with supplies very tight, farmers with cattle to sell are in a stronger position to negotiate on price, with offers starting in the mid-590s and more going for regular suppliers.

There are also reports of factory agents putting on free haulage to secure finished cattle off farms.

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Last week saw the biggest positive increase in prices paid for nearly a year. The average for U3 steers was up 7.3p to 596.7p/kg, with R3s up 3.9p to 591.1p/kg. U3 heifers were up 3.8p to average 596p/kg and R3s increased 3p to 589p/kg.

Across all steers and heifers, the average price paid was 589p/kg, an increase of 5.8p on the previous week and the highest average paid since mid-May.

However, sources in the trade maintain that increase is principally due to tight supplies and that beef sales remain slow, with plenty of product still in store.

Irish prices

Prices paid are also on the rise in the Republic of Ireland on the back of tight supplies, with another 10c/kg added to quotes, which has helped cut the gap to NI prices to under 30p/kg.

In Britain, prices paid for U and R grading steers and heifers have increased to over 600p/kg, with the averages paid last week up by 3p to 4p/kg. The trade in Briain is strongest in the north of England, where U-3 heifers averaged 616.2p/kg last week and nearly 10p ahead of other English regions and prices paid in Scotland.

Relatively limited supplies of cattle across the island of Ireland have helped keep the cross-border trade in cattle relatively subdued. A total of 192 cattle were imported for direct slaughter in NI last week, up only marginally on the 171 head from the previous week. Trade in the opposite direction was 56 head.

Cows

The best quote for a fat cow remains at 494p/kg for an O+ animal. Reports from farmers suggest factory agents are keen to secure numbers, with free haulage and deals around the 470p/kg mark for fit dairy cows out of the parlour.

Last week, P2 cows averaged 467.4p/kg, up 3.1p on the previous week. R3 cows averaged 526.1p/kg.

NI sheep: prices slide for lamb

The trade for spring lambs has slipped again this week.

In the plants, the quotes are down to 750p/kg or £157.50 at the 21kg limit and in the marts the trade has fallen back by 20p to 30p/kg.

In Gortin, lambs at 25kg made £173 or 692p/kg, with 27.8kg at £173 or 622p. Lambs at 22kg made £167.50 or 761p/kg with 21.8kg at £1761or 738p.

In Kilrea, 700 lambs sold from 715p to 815p/kg. Lambs at 24kg made £195.50 or 815p, with 26kg making £204 or 785p and 26.5kg at £204.50 or 772p/kg. The best at 22kg sold for £167.50 or 761p/kg and the best at 21kg made £150 or 714p.

In Markethill, 780 head sold to 772p/kg. The 772p was for 24.5kg at £189, with 748p for 24.2kg at £181. Midweight lambs made 816p for 21.4kg at £174.50, with 808p for 21.6kg at £174.50. Good store lambs sold from 733p to 790p/kg.

Saintfield sold 616 lambs from 700p to 790p/kg. Heavy lambs at 27.5kg made £185, with 26kg at £172. Lambs at 23.5kg sold to £162, with 23kg to £158. Light lambs at 20kg made £144, with 19kg at £140.

In Ballymena on Wednesday, lambs at 19.5kg and 20kg made £139 and £142.5 respectively or 713p/kg. Lambs at 22kg sold for £152 or 691p. Heavier sorts at 24kg made £164.50 or 685p/kg, with 26kg at £170 or 664p/kg.

Fat ewes

In Gortin, best ewes ran from £170 to a top of £236.

In Kilrea, the top was £234 and in Markethill, the best fleshed ewes sold from £170 to £248.

In Saintfield, the top was £260 with a run from £148.