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HomeFarming NewsNI sheep trade: Prices move up a gear
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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NI sheep trade: Prices move up a gear

NI sheep trade September 2021

The Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) reported that sheep factories paid up to 4.90p/kg for R3 grade lambs up to 21kg this week.

The commission, in its weekly market report, outlined that trade remained “steady”. It expects quotes to range from 485- 490p/kg next Monday.

NI sheep trade September 2021

“The average NI deadweight lamb price was up 0.4p/kg from the previous week to 481.2p/kg. Meanwhile, the deadweight lamb price in ROI was up 5.2p/kg to the equivalent of 528.1p/kg.”

“Throughput of lambs this week totalled 9,839 – a decrease of 1,426 when compared to the previous week when plants processed 11,265 lambs locally.

Meanwhile, a further 7,162 lambs were exported from NI to ROI for direct slaughter- up 929 head when compared to the previous week. In the corresponding week in 2020, 8,365 were exported to ROI for direct slaughter.

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Beef prices in Northern Ireland

According to the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC), factories across Northern Ireland increased all prices except for young bulls this week.

The commission used the words “mixed performance” to describe the beef trade this week.

Base quotes for in-spec U-3 grade prime cattle remained “steady” this week, ranging from 384-394p/kg.

Quotes for good quality O+3 cows ranged from 280-300p/kg, with most plants “quoting at the upper end of this scale”.

The commission reported out that during the same period last year, processors quoted 260-270p/kg for good quality O+3 grade cows.

The average steer price was up 1.4p/kg to 392.5p/kg. The R3 steer price increased to 402.4p/kg, up 1p/kg from the previous week.

The average heifer price in NI last week was up 4.1p/kg from the previous week to 396.5p/kg, with the R3 heifer price up 2.2p/kg to 403.4p/kg.

Meanwhile, cow prices improved across most grades compared to the previous week. The average cow price increased to 0.9p/kg to 284.6p/kg with the O3 cow price up 0.6p/kg to 315.1p/kg.

In contrast, the average young bull price fell 0.1p/kg to 379.6p/kg, with the R3 steer price down 1p/kg to 391.5p/kg. Read more or a report from the previous week.

Further reading:

–        British sheepmeat mislabelled as Irish – Read this article.

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