Quotes for fat cattle in NI remain unchanged this week, with a best quote of 632p for U-3 grade steers and 636p for heifers.

Actual deals on offer are also little changed, with U-3 grades around the 654p to 658p/kg mark, with more going for anyone with a load to sell, especially butcher-type heifers.

Those deals are reflected in the prices paid last week, with U3 grading steers averaging 657.1p/kg and U3 heifers at 659.8p/kg.

Across all steers and heifers, prices averaged 651.4p/kg, up 3.3p on the previous week and the highest weekly average since the end of May.

Over the period since, this average dropped to a low of under 630p/kg at the end of June, so there has been a steady recovery in prices since then.

While prices have been edging up in NI, the prices paid in Britain have been pretty stagnant during August and September.

As a result, NI prices paid are now ahead of England and comparable with Scotland, especially for some of the lower conformation grades.

Tight numbers did take Republic of Ireland (ROI) beef prices ahead of Britain during August. However, once more cattle started to appear those prices dropped back to sit around 20p/kg behind NI, dependent on grade.

While NI factory agents maintain there is enough cattle on offer to meet their needs, numbers are down on what was seen in Autumn 2024.

That is reflected in recent cattle kills. Last week’s kill of 9,437 included 2,158 cows and was the largest kill of prime cattle since June and of cows since March. However, the total kill is still significantly down on the 10,000+ head of cattle seen at this stage in 2024.

That is partly also due to the strong trade in ROI, resulting in lower numbers coming north for direct slaughter. Last week’s total of 403 head compares to over 1,000 head in the same week in 2024.

Cows

Fat cow quotes at NI plants are steady this week, with a best of 540p for an O+ cow.

With ROI cow trade ahead of NI, it has helped take NI above prices paid in Britain. Last week, both R3 and R4 cows averaged 575p/kg, up 4 to 5p on the previous week.

NI plants have pushed up their weight limit again by 0.5kg to 22kg. The quote is 650p making a lamb worth £143 at the new limit.

In the marts prices bid for fat lambs are not much changed. Store lamb prices remain strong.

Kilrea sold 1,100 lambs making from 600p to 731p/kg. Store lambs led the trade with 18kg at £125 or 694p/kg and 19kg at £128 or 674p/kg. Fat lambs at 22kg made £140 or 636p/kg. A super pen at 26kg made £190 or 731p/kg.

A big show in Markethill had a steady trade with 1,770 lambs making from 600p to 673p/kg.

The 673p was for 23.1kg at £155.50. Heavier lambs made 592p for 24.4kg at £144.50 with 575p for 24.1kg at £138.50.

Store lambs were a strong trade with 821p paid for 14.5kg at £119 and 800p for 13kg at £104.

In Saintfield, 575 lambs made from 600p to 700p/kg, no change on last week. Texels at 25kg made £160 with 26kg at £158. Stores at 18kg made to £122.

Early lots in Ballymena saw heavier lambs from 23.5kg to 26kg making from £137 to £143.50.

Fat ewes

The strong trade for fat ewes continues with a top in Kilrea of £230. In Gortin the top was £270. In Markethill, fleshed ewes sold from £140 to £238 with plainer sorts from £100 to £130.