Base factory quotes for clean cattle have remained steady for the third week in a row, giving a best quote for U-3 grade steers and heifers of 590p/kg.

Actual prices paid remain around the 596p to 600p/kg mark, with slightly more on offer for regular suppliers, as well as butcher-type heifers.

The average prices paid for cattle last week were virtually unchanged compared with the previous seven days. U3 steers averaged 601.9p/kg, down 0.6p, with R3s at 599.4p/kg, down only 0.1p.

Some heifer prices edged up, with U3s at 606.5p/kg and R3 grades averaging 600p/kg, both up 0.1p on the previous week. The price paid for U3 young bulls was up 0.5p to average 594.9p/kg.

Across all steers and heifers, the average price paid was 594.5p/kg, down 0.1p/kg.

While the prices paid are generally steady, it is the fifth week in a row that this average has fallen and since the end of July, prices paid are down 11.6p/kg. Compared to this time last year, prices are back by 56.6p/kg, which equates to £215 on a 380kg carcase.

Looking at 2025 trends, the price paid at the end of August remained very steady right through the autumn and into December.

In Britain, the market is also generally steady, although prices paid in Scotland continued to increase last week. Top grades in Scotland are now pushing towards 630p/kg, which is around 15p ahead of English prices.

In the Republic of Ireland, reports suggest numbers remain fairly tight and with slightly stronger demand, more is being paid for cattle. The price gap to NI is around 30p to 40p/kg, dependent on grade.

Slaughterings

Last week’s cattle kill in NI of 8,623 head was down only 169 on the previous week and slightly behind the weekly average so far in 2026 of 8,806.

To date, the 2026 kill of 299,414 head is running 6% down on the same period in 2025, with nearly 19,000 fewer cattle processed. Numbers are expected to increase in the coming weeks.

Cows

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

More is on offer for quality suckler cows, with the price paid for R3 grades last week averaging 528.1p/kg, with R4 cows at 530.9p/kg.

NI sheep: prices unchanged for NI lambs

Quotes for lambs at NI factories are unchanged at 670p and 660p.

The mart trade in Gortin was steady. Exceptional lambs at 27kg made 807p/kg or £218, with 29kg at 515p or £152. Middle weights at 24kg made 582p or £145, with 23kg at 607p or £143. Store lambs at 20kg sold for 666p or £138.

In Kilrea, a stronger trade saw the best lambs at 22kg making 682p/kg or £150, with 23kg at 663p or £152.50. Lambs at 24kg made 640p or £153.50, with 27kg at 637p or £172.

Markethill saw a good trade for heavy lambs and steady prices for mid-weights. Heavy lots sold to 649p/kg for 25.9kg at £168, with 622p for 27kg also at £168. Quality mid-weights sold to 661p/kg for 23.9kg at £158, with 655p for 20kg at £131.

Store lams were slightly easier, selling to 753p/kg for 15kg at £113, followed by 750p for 10kg at £75. Stronger stores sold to 715p/kg for 17.2kg at £123.

In Saintfield, lambs reached £168 and £160 for 30kg, with £155 for 25.5kg and £152 for 23kg.

In Ballymena, heavy lamb at 32kg made £167 or 522p/kg, with 27kg at £168 or 622p. Lambs at 22.5kg sold to £139 or 618p, with 21.5kg at £134 or 623p/kg.

Fat ewes

The trade in fat ewes has eased.

In Gortin, the top ewes made £200, with a run from £140 to £194. In Kilrea, the top was £210.

In Markethill, the best ewes sold from £160 to £222, with second quality from £110 to £150. In Saintfield, the top was £235.