Northern View: cattle trade remains on a steady footing

Quotes for fat cattle are similar to last week, with a best quote of 632p for U-3 grading steers and 636p for U-3 heifers.

Farmers report that actual prices paid are also seeing little change. Most reports suggest steers are moving between 654p and 656p/kg for U-3 grades, with heifers making up to 658p/kg and slightly more going for butcher types.

Factory agents maintain there are enough finished cattle to meet their needs. Sources also point out that sales of mince remain robust, but steak cuts are harder to sell and that is eating into factory margins.

With more local cattle available, the prices paid last week edged back for some grades. U3 steers were down 1.2p at 654.9p/kg, with U3 heifers back 1.2p to average 658p/kg.

Across all steers, the average price paid was 647.2p/kg, down 2.7p, while heifers averaged 649.3p/kg, down 1.7p.

In Britain, the market is generally steady, with steers up by around 1p and heifers back by a similar amount. The prices being paid in NI remain behind Scotland, but are generally ahead of what is being paid across much of England.

ROI prices

The market in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) was on fire during August and on a par with Scotland. However, that situation has changed, with prices paid falling during September.

Last week, the price paid for R3 grading steers in ROI dropped 13.5p/kg to the sterling equivalent of 640p/kg, which is nearly 15p/kg behind R3 steers in NI.

That change in the market has encouraged more Irish cattle north for direct slaughter.

Last week’s total of 455 was the largest since April 2025, although still well behind the 1,015 head in the same week last year.

Back then, prices in NI were over 60p/kg ahead of ROI.

Just 40 head of cattle from NI made the journey in the opposite direction last week.

Cows

Fat cow quotes at the plants are steady, with a best of 540p/kg for an O+ cow.

The price paid last week for R grades was down, with R3 back 10.7p at 570.4p/kg and R4 down 2.8p at 517p/kg.

However, O3 and O4 grades were up by 3p and 5.7p respectively to sit at over 550p/kg.

NI sheep: new weight limits for lamb

The plants have increased their weight limit by 0.5kg to 21.5kg. The quote is 645p, making a lamb worth up to £138.67.

There are fewer lambs in the marts and prices for fat lambs are up from 10p to 15p/kg. Store lamb prices remain strong.

Kilrea sold 1,000 lambs, making from 643p to 733p/kg, a substantial increase for heavier lambs. Lambs at 23.5kg made £164 or 698p, with 21kg making up to up to £133.50 or 636p/kg. The 733p was for 18kg store lambs at £132.

Markethill had a better trade, with 1,250 lambs making from 600p to 663p/kg, up by 10p on last week.

The 663p was for 20kg at £132.50, with 660p for 20kg at £132. Heavier lambs made 563p for 24kg at £145.

In Saintfield, 560 lambs made from 600p to 710p/kg, up by 15p. Texels at 27kg made £158, with 26kg at £153. Charollais at 26kg made £150, with Suffolks at 25kg at £142. Stores at 18kg made to £122.

In Rathfriland, a big show of store lambs saw 17.7kg at £118 and 18.8kg at £134. Fats at 24kg made £140.

Early lots in Ballymena made to 613p/kg for 23kg at £141 with 609p for 21.5kg at £131. Stores made 633p for 18kg at £114.

Fat ewes

Fat ewes sold to a top in Kilrea of £198. In Markethill, fleshed ewes sold from £130 to £200, with plainer sorts from £130 to £176.

In Saintfield, Texels made to £199, with Charollais at £188 and Suffolks to £170.