Quotes for clean cattle at most of the slaughter plants in NI are steady this week, giving a best quote for U-3 grade steers and heifers of 596p/kg.

However, one factory has taken their base quote back 6p to 590p/kg and in general, there is more resistance from factory agents to pay over 610p/kg for finished cattle.

Others are quoting starting prices closer to the 600p/kg mark. Reports suggest numbers remain tight, although very dry conditions in the east of NI has brought a few more cattle out to slaughter.

The best scenario for everyone involved in beef production is that prices settle around where they are at present, allowing finishers to plan into the autumn when more cattle come to market.

Last week saw average prices paid drop back for the first time since mid-June. The average paid for U3 steers was down 2.4p at 612.8p/kg, while R3s were back 5.6p at 606.3p/kg. The price paid for U3 heifers dropped 3.9p to 611.4p/kg, with R3s down 4.7p at 606.6p/kg.

Across all steers and heifers the average price paid was 603.5p/kg, down 2.6p on the previous week.

Irish trade

In the Republic of Ireland, some factories continue to apply price pressure, although most cattle are being bought at similar prices to last week. The gap to NI prices remains at over 30p/kg and closer to 40p for some grades. In Britain, prices paid last week were steady or up slightly in some cases.

While there has been very little difference in the prices paid across NI and Britain in recent weeks, a small gap of around 6p/kg for U and R grades has now opened up in favour of farmers across the Irish Sea.

Imports

Last week saw 262 cattle imported from the south for direct slaughter in NI. That figure was down 182 head on the previous week and is below the weekly average of 345 for the year-to-date.

A total of 138 cattle were transported in the opposite direction, which is actually the highest weekly export figure to the south since May 2022.

Cows

Quotes for fat cows are steady with a best of 510p for an R grade and to 500p for an O+ animal.

The price paid last week for R3 cows averaged 541.6p/kg with R4s at 543.6p/kg.

The trade in the marts for lambs eased back at the start of the week but was firm in Ballymena on Wednesday.

Quotes in the plants are steady at a best of 680p/kg.

There was a slower trade in Gortin. Very heavy lambs at 36kg made 472p/kg or £170 with 26kg at 630p or £164. Middle weights at 23.8kg sold for 636p or £151 with 23.6kg at 622p or £147. Lighter lambs at 21.9kg made 630p or £138.

In Kilrea an easier trade saw 20kg making 680p/kg or £136 with 22kg at 668p or £147. The best lambs at 24kg made 625p/kg or £150 with 23kg at 620p or £142.50.

Good quality heavy lots at Markethill sold to 630p/kg for 25kg at £157.50 with 623p for 24kg at £149.50. Quality mid-weights sold to 686p.

Store lambs sold to 859p/kg for 13.1kg at £112.50 followed by 785p/kg for 13kg at £102.

In Ballymena the trade was firm. Heavy lambs at 31.5kg made £181 or 575p/kg with 27.5kg at £166 or 604p/kg. Lambs at 24.5kg sold for £161 or 657p/kg while 22kg made £140 or 636p and 21.5kg sold for £139 or 647p/kg. Stores at 20kg made £126.50 or 633p/kg.

Fat ewes

The trade in fat ewes is down on previous weeks.

In Gortin the top fat ewe made £262 with a run from £180 to £254. In Kilrea the top was £256, the best ewes in Markethill sold from £170 to £266 and in Saintfield the best ewes made to £210.