The quotes for clean cattle have moved up again this week, with one local processor increasing its offer by 8p/kg to give a best quote for a U-3 grade steer of 608p and for a U-3 grade heifer of 612p/kg.

While others have held their base quotes, there is a general acceptance that more has to be paid this week to get supplies, with deals starting into the mid to high 610s and potentially more going for large numbers and butcher type heifers.

Numbers remain tighter than expected at this time of the year and that is reflected in last week’s kill.

The total number slaughtered was up nearly 200 head at 8,911, to include 2,288 cows, which was the highest weekly cow kill since January.

However, in the first three weeks of September, the kill is yet to cross 9,000 head, despite that being achieved in every September week during 2025. In 2024, weekly kills during the same month averaged nearly 10,500 head.

Paid

The prices paid in NI last week were generally up by 3 to 5p/kg across the grades.

U3 steers averaged 610.2p/kg, up 3.3p, with R3s at 608.7p/kg, up 4.7p.

The price paid for U3 heifers was also up 4.7p to average 613.8p/kg, with R3s increasing by 3.7p to 609.2p/kg.

Across all steers and heifers, prices were up 3.1p to their highest point since the end of July, at an average of 603.8p/kg.

Britain

The beef trade elsewhere is also on the rise. In Britain, prices paid last week were up by nearly 10p for some grades.

R3 steers averaged 628p/kg, with R3 heifers at 626.5p/kg. Prices paid for R4s in Scotland are now well over 640p/kg.

In the Republic of Ireland, tight supplies of finished cattle have helped to strengthen the trade, with reports of an extra 20c/kg being added to quotes this week.

Excluding VAT on Irish prices, the gap to NI generally sits around 30p to 40p/kg.

Cows

The best quotes for fat cows are steady at 510p for an R grade and 500p for an O+ animal.

Last week, the price paid for R3 grade cows increased by 2.1p to 537.8p, although the average for R4s was back 8p to 528.9p/kg.

P2 cows averaged 473.3p/kg, up 2.7p, while P3s were down 2p to average 485.1p/kg.

Firm lamb trade in NI

The weight limit for fat lamb at NI factories has increased to 22kg and a best quote of 695p puts a lamb to £152.90 at this limit. The firm trade in the marts has continued.

In Gortin lambs at 28kg made 609p/kg or £172 with 26kg at 643p or £170. Middle weights at 24kg made 643p or £159 with 23kg at 651p or £155.

In Kilrea, the top price was 683p/kg for 23kg at £157. Others at 23kg made from £144 or 626p/kg to £147 or 639p/kg. Lambs at 24kg sold to £157.50 or 656p/kg. The best at 22kg made £148 or 673p/kg, with 21kg at £144 or 655p/kg.

Heavy lambs at Markethill sold to 620p/kg for 25kg at £155 with 617p for 24.4kg at £150.50. Good mid-weights sold to 665p/kg for 22.5kg at £149.50.

Store lambs were firm, selling to 775p/kg for 17.3kg at £134 with 770p also for 18.7kg at £114. Lighter stores sold to 892p/kg for 13kg at £116.

In Saintfield lambs at 24kg hit £152 and 21kg reached £138.50.

In Ballymena, 25.5kg lambs made £158 or 620p with 24kg at £155 or 646p/kg. Others at 23kg sold to £148 or 643p with 21.5kg at £141 or 656p/kg.

Fat ewes

In Gortin the top fat ewes made £246 and £240 and in Kilrea the top was £254.