Following the rises applied last week to base factory quotes for U-3 grading cattle, most have left their quotes unchanged this week at a top of 630p for steers and 634p for heifers.

Farmers report the actual prices being paid continue to start around the low- to mid-650p/kg range, with tight numbers and renewed competition from the Republic of Ireland (ROI) leaving factory agents keen to secure any NI cattle available.

The tight numbers are reflected in slaughter data, with just 7,156 cattle processed in NI last week.

It is the second-lowest weekly kill of the year, only beaten by the previous bank holiday week, when 6,311 were slaughtered.

In the first half of the year, factories processed a weekly average just shy of 10,000 head of cattle.

With supplies under pressure, prices are up. U3 grading steers averaged 652p/kg last week, up 4.7p, while U3 heifers averaged 655.2p/kg, up 6.9p.

Across all steers, prices averaged 642.5p/kg, which is up by 14p/kg over the last four weeks.

However, over the same period, ROI prices have increased by over 30p/kg and are now ahead of NI across some of the top grades.

With prices paid in Britain generally stalling over the last week and broadly in line with NI, it has led to a rare scenario where ROI prices are ahead of what is being paid across the UK.

The strong market in ROI means it is not currently a ready source of cattle to help maintain weekly throughput in NI.

Last week, just 121 head were imported for direct slaughter in NI, which is the lowest weekly total since the start of the year.

A total of 90 cattle were sent in the opposite direction.

No NI cattle were shipped across the Irish Sea for slaughter.

Cows

Fat cow quotes at the plants are steady this week, ranging from 520p to 540p for an O+ cow.

However, with strong competition in marts and prices well ahead in ROI, local factories are having to pay more to secure supplies.

Last week, R3 cows averaged 575.7p/kg, up 6.9p on the previous week.

NI sheep: factory quotes ease for lamb

Quotes at NI meat plants have eased this week to 680p/kg deadweight, making a lamb worth £142.80 at the 21kg limit.

In NI marts, prices for fat lambs were steady or down slightly, but store lamb prices are strong.

In Gortin, good prices were bid for heavy lambs, with 29kg making £170 or 586p/kg and 29.7kg at £169 or 569p/kg.

Lambs at 22.7kg made £151 or 665p/kg, with 22kg at £148 or 672p/kg.

Kilrea had a sale of 1,182 lambs making up to 728p/kg. The 728p was for 21kg at £153, with 22.5kg making £146.50 or 651p/kg. Heavies at 27kg made £178 or 659p/kg. Stores at 16.5kg made £117 or 709p/kg, with 17kg at £116.50 or 685p/kg.

Markethill sold 1,105 lambs making from 626p to 761p, little change on last week for heavier sorts. The 761p was for 21.4kg at £163, with 660p for 20kg at £132. Heavies made to 621p for 24kg at £149, with 616p for 25kg at £154.

In Saintfield, 1,220 lambs made from 610p to 700p/kg, no change on last week. Very heavy lambs at 40kg made £192, with 30kg at £184 and 28kg at £185. The best at 24kg made to £145, with 22kg to £140.

In Rathfriland, lambs at 25.4kg made £150, with 24kg at £149.

A big show of stores had 15.5kg at £114.50 or 739p/kg, with 11.9kg at £86 or 723p. Stores at 14.2kg made £100, 704p, with 16.5kg at £114 or 691p/kg. Young ewes for breeding made from £236 to £244 a head.

Fat ewes

A strong trade in Gortin saw the best ewes making £250, with a run from £170 to £224.

In Kilrea the top was £244, with others from £214 to £234.

In Markethill, the best ewes sold to a top of £248, with all good quality ewes from £204 to £242.