According to a spokesperson for the Livestock Meat Commission (LMC), “softer quotes are expected for all types of cattle” in factories across Northern Ireland.
Base quotes for in-spec U-3 grading steers and heifers ended last week ranging from 438-450p/kg, with base quotes for 0+3 grading cows round off with a variation of 334-345p/kg.
Last week in Northern Ireland, according to the body, the average price paid for steers was 453.7p/kg, which was down by 4.3p/kg from the week prior.
An average R3 steer price of 466.6p/kg was reported across factories, which is back by 2.2p/kg on the previous week.
Meanwhile, the average heifer price in NI last week was 455.8p/kg, again down by half a penny from the previous week, while the R3 heifer price was back 2.6p/kg to 464.4p/kg.
The average cow price in NI last week fell by a notable 13p/kg, from the previous week to 318.5p/kg, while the O3 cow price reported a decline of 9.3p/kg bringing it to 349.9p/kg.
Prime cattle throughput in NI plants last week stood 6,421 head, which brought the total throughput during the first seven months of 2023 to 205,968 head, a 4.1% decline year on year.
Compared to the corresponding period of 2021, this year’s prime cattle slaughterings are up over 12,700 head or by 7%.
Meanwhile, cow throughput in local plants last week amounted to 2,103 cows, which brought total cow throughput to date during 2023 to 64,428 head.
The LMC notes that this equates to a 1.7% decline in cow slaughterings on last year’s levels.
However, in saying that, the cow kill remains almost 9,000 head or 17% ahead of a cow throughout the corresponding period of 2021, the LMC added.
Coolnaslee herd
Meanwhile, in other beef-related news, in recent weeks, we have shared details of the unreserved dispersal sale of the Coolnaslee herd of pedigree Charolais cattle.
The auction will take place on Saturday, August 26th, 2023, with the venue being confirmed as Ballymena Livestock Mart.
Coolnaslee Charolais was founded in 1993 by the late Gilbert Crawford, Maghera with his passion for the breed spanning over 25 years until his passing in 2017.
The success that the Coolnaslee herd had in both the show and sale rings remains the same today as it did in days gone by, with a focus on “eye-catching cattle with style and presence, and the ability to perform whether it be in a pedigree or commercial herd”.
Over 120 lots are set to go under the hammer and will comprise cows with calves at foot, in-calf heifers and a batch of choice maiden heifers.
All lots running with the bull or AI’d will be scanned in advance of the sale with full information made available to buyers.
Read more on this news article.
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