Base quotes for in-spec prime cattle ranged from 350-358p/kg with the majority quoting 354- 358p/kg, according to the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).
Quotes for O+3 grading cows held steady at 260-270p/kg. “Similar quotes are expected for all types of cattle early next week.”
Throughput
Prime cattle throughput in NI plants totalled 6,636 head last week which was similar to the previous week.
The average carcase weight of prime cattle was 347.7kg, up marginally from 346.6kg in the same week last year. Cow throughput in NI last week totalled 1,823 head, back 160 cows from the previous week.
The average cow carcase weight in NI last week was 302.1kg, back from 306.8kg in the same week last year.
Imports
Imports of cattle from ROI for direct slaughter in local plants last week consisted of 255 prime cattle and 126 cows which was similar to the previous week, the LMC added.
Exports from NI to ROI for direct slaughter last week consisted of 118 cows while no cattle were exported to GB for direct slaughter.
Prices
“Deadweight prices for prime cattle in NI continued to come under pressure last week.”
The average steer price back by 3.8p/kg to 357.9p/kg while the R3 steer price was back 4.8p/kg to 367.6p/kg.
The average heifer price was back 1.6p/kg to 361.5p/kg last week while the R3 heifer price decreased by 2.2p/kg to 368.3p/kg. The average young bull price decreased by 2.8p/kg to 348.5p/kg last week with the R3 young bull price back by 2p/kg to 359.8/kg.
The cow trade also came under pressure in NI last week with the average cow price back just over 5p/kg to 248.3p/kg, while the O3 cow price decreased by 1.4p/kg to 277.8p/kg, the commission explained.
GB
“The deadweight trade for prime cattle in GB continued to come under pressure last week with the majority of grades reporting declines from the previous week.”
The average GB steer price was back by 0.7p/kg to 372.9p/kg while the R3 steer price decreased by 1.4p/kg to 379.3p/kg. R3 steer prices recorded increases of just over a penny in Scotland and Northern England, while “notable declines” were recorded in the Midlands and Wales (-3.7p/kg) and Southern England (-5.1p/kg).
The average heifer price in GB last week decreased by 0.8p/kg to 373p/kg with the R3 heifer price holding steady at 378.8p/kg.
The cow trade in GB came under pressure last week with the average cow price back by 9.2p/kg to 253p/kg with strong declines reported in the Midlands and Southern England.
Last week, the O3 cow price in GB decreased by 10.5p/kg to 277.9p/kg similar to the corresponding price reported in NI.
