April beef prices: Bull quotes fall, but all other categories improve
Heifer, steer, and bullock prices improved in plants across Northern Ireland this week, while young bull quotes were back a shade.
The LMC (Livestock and Meat Commission) reported that base prices for in-spec U-3 grade prime cattle ranged from 392-420p/kg this week.
The trade for good quality O+3 cows also “strengthened” with base quotes ending this week ranging from 280-344p/kg.
April beef prices
- The average young bull price in NI last week was back marginally to 392.4p/kg while the R3 young bull price increased by 2.3p/kg to 411.2p/kg;
- Secondly, the average steer price last week was rose by 2.2p/kg to 413p/kg from the previous week, while the R3 steer price increased by 2.5p/kg to 422.5p/kg;
- Meanwhile, the average heifer price in NI last week increased by 2.8p/kg to 414.8p/kg, while the R3 heifer price rose by 2.5p/kg to 423.9p/kg;
- The average cow price in NI last week increased by 6.4p/kg to 319.5p/kg, while the O3 cow price was up 7.6p/kg to 345.8p/kg.
Throughput
In terms of throughput, plants reported steady supplies of cattle coming forward for slaughter, with prime cattle throughput last week amounting to 8,029 head.
According to the LMC, this is an increase of 117 head compared to the previous week and 37%increase on the corresponding week last year.
Meanwhile, cow throughput in NI last week totalled 2,284 head, which was a similar throughput to the previous week.
This was up 838 head compared to the 1,446 cows slaughtered in the same week last year.
Exports and imports
Imports from ROI for direct slaughter in NI plants last week comprised 330 prime cattle and 85 cows, compared to 316 prime cattle and 74 cows during the same week last year.
There were no imports from GB to NI for direct slaughter last week. Exports from NI to ROI for direct slaughter last week comprised two prime cattle and 42 cows.
Lastly, two prime cattle and 33 cows made the journey to GB for direct slaughter.
Other articles on That’s Farming:
.){kind=link}