"Our recent survey confirms that there are significant benefits to be gained by putting E, U and R grade cattle into the sale ring. We estimate the advantage to be in the region of 10 pence per kilo on a deadweight basis," he told Farming Life.
"There remains a significant demand from shippers to put finished cattle from Northern Ireland into Scotland and the North of England for slaughter. These people are operating in all of our marts at the present time and are in a position to create a significant demand for finished stock."
William Taylor added: "Selling live also has a number of other advantages. If a farmer is not happy with the price he is receiving then he has the option of bringing his cattle home. This is not the case when cattle are sold deadweight. Once an animal is driven through the gate of a meat plant it must be slaughtered. What's more, there is no requirement to have cattle farm quality assured in order to get the best price in a sale ring.
"Selling live has added more competition for finished cattle here in Northern Ireland. And it is an option which local farmers should seek to avail of, when it best meets their need."
Northern Ireland Meat Exporters' Association chief executive Phelim O Neill told Farming Life that beef farmers can use the live option if they feel this is the appropriate route to take with their stock.
"There has always been open competition for finished cattle in Northern Ireland," he added.
"And, yes, I am aware that a number of cattle are shipped to Scotland from Northern Ireland every week. However the local meat plants need cattle to fulfil their own supply contracts. And this means they have to be competitive when it comes to pricing stock."