Markets

LMC: Cattle Supplies Tighten Across Northern Ireland

UK - Quotes from the plants increased this week to 354-360p/kg for U-3 grade prime cattle with the 8p/kg bonus available for steers and heifers that kill out in spec. The quotes for cows ranged from 275-285p/kg across the plants this week, write market analysts at the Livestock and Meat Commission Northern Ireland.

18 September 2013

2 minute read

Europe

Deadweight Cattle Trade

The plants have reported a tight supply of prime cattle with throughput last week similar to the previous week at 5,429 head. In the corresponding week in 2012 7,367 prime cattle were slaughtered in NI plants,representing a 26 per cent decline in throughput.

Cow throughput last week totalled 1,494 head compared to 2,134 in the same week last year, a decline of 30 per cent. Imports of prime cattle from ROI for direct slaughter in NI plants last week totalled 1,001 head, an increase of 413 head on the previous week and the highest level recorded since early October 2012.

A total of 296 cows were also imported from ROI for direct slaughter while 189 cows were exported from NI for slaughter in ROI plants. Meanwhile exports of prime cattle for direct slaughter in GB last week were similar to previous weeks at 248 head.

The average steer price in NI last week was 356.4p/kg, an increase of 1.9p/kg on the previous week with the R3 steer price up 1p/kg to 366.0p/kg. The average heifer price was back 1.8p/kg to 356.4p/kg last week while the R3 heifer price was back marginally to 365.4p/kg.

Meanwhile the average young bull price increased by 4.1p/kg to 335.8p/kg. In GB last week average steer and heifer prices were up in the region of 3p/kg to 391.8p/kg and 388.6p/kg respectively with average steer and heifer prices showing an increase across all the regions.

The strongest increases were recorded in Southern England where average steer prices were up 6.3p/kg to 373.8p/kg and average heifer priceswere up 5.6p/kg to 367.9p/kg.

The trade for young bulls showed a marked improvement in GB last week with average prices up 8.3p/kg to 364.6p/kg. The average price in Southern England increased by 13.5p/kg to 362.1p/kg while the average price in Northern England increased by 9.6p/kg to 358.5p/kg.

In ROI last week an increase in throughput resulted in prices coming back by 1-2c/kg for the majority of reported grades. However with a drop in the value of euro against sterling prices were back in the region of 6- 7p/kg in sterling terms.

The R3 steer price in ROI last week was the equivalent of 341.9p/kg while the R3 heifer price was 350.9p/kg, 24.1p/kg and 14.5p/kg behind NI prices respectively.

Liveweight Cattle Trade

Finished steers sold to an average of 215p/kg (+3p/kg) for first quality this week with second quality selling to an average of 192p/kg (+5p/kg). Finished heifers sold to an average of 214p/kg (+8p/kg) for first quality and 187p/kg (+4p/kg) for second quality.

The store trade has remained strong with first quality bullocks up to 400kg sold from 215-263p/kg (av228p/kg) while second quality sold from 160- 214p/kg (av187p/kg). Heifers up to 450kg sold to a top price of 244p/kg with first quality selling to an average of 215p/kg.