Base quotes for clean cattle are generally steady this week, giving a best for U-3 grading steers and heifers of 596p/kg.

However, the actual prices being paid have come under a bit of pressure at a couple of factories, while others are talking about reducing their offers from next week.

Aside from that, farmers report there is more reluctance among factory agents this week to go beyond the low- to mid-610s for steers and heifers.

That is likely to halt the recent upward momentum in the trade, which has seen 23p/kg added to the average price paid since mid-June.

However, that increase has been purely driven by tight numbers, with just 27,378 cattle slaughtered in NI during July and the 12th week seeing the smallest weekly kill in NI for over six years.

While finished cattle numbers in NI still remain low, last week’s kill of 7,824 was up 843 on the previous week and the highest since mid-June.

Prices edge up

Prices paid also edged up, with U3 steers up 0.9p to average 615.2p/kg and R3 steers rising 1.1p to 611.9p/kg.

The U3 heifer price was down 0.3p at 615.3p/kg, but the R3 price increased 1.1p to 611.4p/kg. Across all steers and heifers, the average price paid was 606.1p/kg, up 1p on the previous week.

Those prices are very similar to what was paid in Britain last week, with steers up 1 to 2p/kg, leaving R3s at 613.1p/kg. R3 heifers were up 0.2p at 611p/kg.

In the Republic of Ireland, very dry conditions across the southern half of the country have helped to bring more cattle forward for slaughter, with prices paid coming under some pressure.

With more numbers available and a price gap of over 30p/kg, it is encouraging more cattle north for direct slaughter. Last week, 444 head were imported, which is the largest weekly import figure since March. Out of the total, 336 were prime cattle, of which 280 were steers. No cattle from NI were sent in the opposite direction.

Cows

Quotes for fat cows are steady at 510p for an R grade and to 500p for an O+ animal.

The prices paid for Rs remain around the 540p/kg mark, with R4s last week averaging 543.4p/kg. O3 cows averaged 520.9p/kg, with P2 grade cows at 484.3p/kg.

Easier lamb trade in NI

The trade in the marts for spring lambs has eased this week, while quotes in factories are down, with a best of 680p/kg.

There was a slower trade in Gortin. Heavy lambs at 29kg made 637p/kg or £185, with 29.3kg at 559p or £164. Middle weights at 22.8kg made 640p or £146, with 22.4kg at 642p or £144.

In Kilrea, an easier trade saw 20kg making 658p/kg or £131.50, with 24kg at 646p or £155. The best lambs at 23kg sold for 639p/kg or £147, with 22kg at 636p or £140. Heavy lambs at 26.5kg made 611p or £162.

Markethill had a steady trade for fats and a firmer trade for stores. Good-quality heavy lots sold to 692p/kg for 24kg at £166, with 619p for 26.5kg at £164. Quality midweights sold to 670p/kg for 20kg at £134, with 661p for 23kg at £152.

Store lambs sold to 782p/kg for 15.8kg at £123.50.

In Saintfield, the best lambs at 27kg made £170 and £162. Lambs at 23.5kg sold to £139, with 22.5kg at £130.

In Ballymena, the trade was back a little. Lambs at 28kg made £157 or 561p/kg, with 26.5kg at £168 or 634p/kg. Lambs at 25kg sold for £156.50 or 626p/kg, with 24kg at £147 or 613p/kg. Store lambs at 15.5kg made £98 or 632p/kg.

Fat ewes

In Gortin, the top fat ewe made £304, with a run from £180 to £280. In Kilrea, the top was £280, while in Markethill, it was £300, with a run from £160 to £276. Second-quality made from £120 to £160/head.

In Saintfield, the best ewes sold from £140 to £210. In Rathfriland, the top was £262.