Quotes for fat cattle have come back this week at some of the factories, leaving the best quote midweek at 620p for U-3 grading steers and heifers, down by 6p on last week.

Farmers report that the actual deals on offer are also down slightly, with agents starting with prices around the 652p/kg mark. However, there is more available for anyone with a number of in-spec cattle to sell, with 656p and 658p paid for steers and heifers earlier in the week. In-spec young bulls under 16 months are closer to the 652p/kg mark.

Last week, the average price paid for U3 steers was down 0.6p at 654.4p/kg, with R3s down 0.4p at 651.4p/kg. U3 heifers were back 0.8p at 656.9p/kg, while R3s were down 1.6p at 651.3p/kg.

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Britain

Prices in Britain have been gradually edging in the other direction, with U-3 grade steers averaging 656p/kg last week, up 1.3p on the previous week. The same grade of heifer was up 1.4p at 658.6p/kg.

However, the market in the Republic of Ireland continues to rebound strongly after the price falls seen in August.

Reports suggest base quotes are up by another 20c/kg, which would take prices paid close to what is on offer in NI. Last week, R3 grading steers were at a sterling equivalent of 631.8p/kg, which was nearly 20p behind NI prices.

Numbers

The price rise south of the Irish border has been mainly driven by tight numbers. In NI, last week’s kill of 10,089 head was the largest since May 2025 and included 2,560 cows, up 302 head on the previous week and the largest cow kill since early February.

Despite those higher numbers, the kill is well short of what was seen in the same week in 2024. Back then, 8,613 prime cattle were slaughtered, which compares to 7,303 last week.

Cows

Fat cow quotes are slipping at some of the plants, with the best quote for an O+ cow at 535p/kg.

Last week, the price paid for both R3 and R4 grades was back 6.8p at 564.8p and 566.2p/kg respectively. However, P2 grades were up 1.8p at 512.1p, with P3s up 1p at 529p/kg.

NI sheep: lamb prices down

Fat lamb quotes are slipping at NI factories, with the best at 640p/kg for 22kg, making a lamb worth £140.80 at the limit.

In the marts, prices bid for fat lambs are down by 10p to 15p.

In Gortin, very heavy lambs at 30kg made to £160, with 24kg to £134.50.

Kilrea had a big sale of 1,200 lambs from 591p to 663p, down by 15p/kg. The 663p was for 19kg at £126, with 658p for 18kg at £118.50. Lambs at 22kg made from £130 or 591p to £136 or 618p/kg.

In Markethill, 900 lambs sold from 600p to 648p/kg, little change on last week.

The 648p was for 20kg at £129.50, with 646p for 20.5kg at £136.50.

Store lambs were dear, with 752p paid for 11.7kg at £88 and 748p for 11.5kg at £86.

In Saintfield, 860 lambs made from 590p to 715p/kg, down by 10p. Texels at 27kg made £142.50, with 24kg at £140. Texel stores at 17kg made £118.

And in Ballymena, heavy lambs at 27kg made to £140 or 519p, with 24kg at £133 or 554p/kg. Lighter sorts at 20kg made £125 or 625p/kg, with 19kg at £111 or 584p/kg.

Fat ewes

The trade for fat ewes remains strong.

In Gortin, the top was £202 and in Kilrea it was £210.

In Markethill, top prices were £232 and £208 with a run from £150 to £206 per head. Plainer sorts sold to £130.

In Saintfield, the best Texels made £270, with Charollais at £212 and Suffolks at £210.