The quotes for clean cattle have increased again this week, with rises of 4p, 6p and 10p depending on the factory, to give a best quote for a U-3 grade steer of 612p and for U-3 grade heifer of 616p/kg.

Reports suggest actual deals on offer for prime cattle are now into the 620s, with factories keen for stock as they embark on Christmas kills.

Heifers remain a couple of pence ahead of steers.

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The prices paid last week increased for the fifth week in a row, with the average for U3 steers at 617.6p/kg, up 7.4p, with R3s at 614.1p/kg, up 5.4p.

The average paid for U3 heifers finished last week at 620.3p/kg, a rise of 6.5p, while R3s increased by 5.7p to 614.9p/kg. U3 young bulls were at 608.4p/kg, up 4.3p on the week.

Across all steers and heifers, the average paid last week was 610.7p/kg.

That average was up 6.9p on the previous week and over the last month, 15p has been added to prices paid.

Last weeks’ prices are the highest seen in NI since April.

Slaughter

Numbers of finished cattle in recent weeks have been tighter than expected, although last week’s kill of 9,129 was the first time it crossed the 9,000 mark since early June.

The total kill included 6,770 prime cattle and 2,081 cows.

Compared to the same week last year, the total kill is still back by 500 head.

ROI market

The beef trade in the Republic of Ireland is also looking positive, although prices paid ex VAT remain around 40p/kg behind those in NI.

A total of 370 Irish cattle were imported into NI for direct slaughter last week, which is just ahead of the weekly average so far in 2026.

The total included 231 steers and 124 cows.

Just 29 cattle headed in the opposite direction.

As well as the 12,873 Irish cattle imported into NI for direct slaughter, another 15,954 have been imported onto NI farms, although most of these are females for breeding and calves under six months old.

Cows

The best quotes for fat cows are up 5p at 515p for an R grade and 505p for an O+ animal.

Prices paid for good-quality sucklers are well above that, with R3s averaging 552.4p/kg last week, up 14.6p.

Lamb trade remains firm

Quotes for fat lambs at 22kg are up to 700p/kg at NI factories putting a lamb to £154 at the limit. In the marts, the firm trade has continued.

In Kilrea, the top price was 698p/kg for 22.5kg at £157. Lambs at 23kg sold from £149 or 648p/kg to £158.50 or 689p/kg. The best at 22kg sold for £143.50 or 652p/kg. Lambs at 20kg got to £128.50 or 643p/kg.

In Markethill heavy lambs sold to 690p for 24.2kg at £167 with 682p for 24.5kg at £167. Good mid-weights made 683p/kg for 20.8kg at £142 with 677p for 23.2kg at £157.

Store lams were firm, selling to 757p/kg for 18.5kg at £140. Lighter stores sold to 825p/kg for 12kg at £99.

In Saintfield heavy lambs made £169 for 28kg or 604p. Lambs at 24kg hit £149 or 621p and 22kg reached £136 or 618p/kg.

In Ballymena, heavies at 27.5kg made £175.50 or 638p/kg. Lambs at 24kg sold to £155.50 or 648p/kg, with 23.5kg selling to £148 or 630p and 21kg making £140 or 667p/kg.

Fat ewes

In Kilrea the top for fat ewes was £220. In Markethill, the best ewes made from £150 to £220 with seconds from £110 to £140. In Saintfield good types sold to £162.