The deadweight cattle trade in NI came back at the lower end with base quotes from the plants ending this week ranging from 324-334p/kg for in spec U-3 grade prime cattle, according to the Livestock and Meat Commission.
The majority of plants, the LMC explained. are quoting 330- 334p/kg for steers and heifers with similar quotes expected for early next week.
“With the range of quotes available, producers are encouraged to shop around to get the best possible deal.”
“Quotes for good quality O+3 grading cows this week ranged from 240-250p/kg with similar quotes expected for early next week.”
Weekly kill
Prime cattle throughput in NI last week totalled 7,072 head, a 448 head increase from the previous week when prime cattle throughput totalled 6,624 head.
In the same week in 2019, the prime cattle throughput in NI totalled 6,936 head. Cow throughput in NI last week totalled 2,181, an increase of 132 cows from the previous week.
In the corresponding week in 2019 cow throughput in local plants totalled 2,125 head. Imports of cattle from ROI for direct slaughter last week included 286 prime cattle and 33 cows with a further two steers and 63 cows imported from GB, according to the LMC.
Meanwhile, exports from NI to ROI for direct slaughter last week consisted of four heifers and 49 cows.
Average prices
The LMC reports that the average steer price in NI last week increased by 1.1p/kg to 332.2p/kg with the R3 steer price increasing marginally to 340.3p/kg.
In the corresponding week in 2019, the R3 steer price was 349.1p/kg. The average heifer price in NI last week was up slightly to 335.3p/kg while the R3 heifer price was back marginally to 341.1p/kg.
“The deadweight cow trade improved in NI last week with the average cow price increasing by 2.3p/kg to 233.7p/kg while the O3 cow price increased by a similar margin to 254.3p/kg.”
“In ROI last week, the majority of prime cattle prices increased. The R3 steer price was the equivalent of 309.3p/kg, up 2.7p/kg from the previous week.” the LMC added.
The R3 heifer price in ROI last week was 315.4p/kg, up 3.1p/kg from the previous week and 25.7p/kg below the R3 heifer price in NI.”
In the same week in 2019, the reported ROI R3 steer price was the equivalent of 327.8p/kg with the R3 heifer price the equivalent of 338.2p/kg.
The O3 cow price in ROI last week increased by the equivalent of 5.6p/kg to 240.2p/kg, 1p4.1p/kg lower than the O3 cow price in NI.
