There is a range in base quotes for cattle from local factories this week, with some dropping below 600p/kg, while others have held at a best of 612p for U-3 grade steers and heifers.

However, in general, 10p/kg has been taken off actual deals on offer, with factory agents quoting starting prices of around 610p to 612p/kg for U-3 cattle, with slightly more going for larger suppliers and butcher-type heifers.

Sources in the trade maintain that a similar price cut is likely next week, with factories keen to get the trade back to around the 600p/kg mark.

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Last week saw prices paid edge back for the ninth week in a row, with U3 steers down 2.2p/kg at 628.7p/kg, while R3s were down 4p to average 624.3p/kg.

U3 heifers dropped 2.6p to 628.6p/kg with R3s at 624p/kg, down 2.9p/kg.

Across all steers and heifers, prices paid averaged 618p/kg, down 6.2p/kg on the previous week and 25p/kg lower than the start of the year.

When compared with the same week in 2025, prices paid are back 57p/kg and are now at their lowest level since early March 2025.

Britain

There is also downward pressure on the market in Britain, with the prices paid last week for steers and heifers generally down 2p to 4p/kg.

That left prices paid in Britain generally 5p to 10p/kg ahead of NI, dependent on grade.

In the Republic of Ireland, the trade is reasonably steady, although prices paid are still around 30p/kg below what is available in NI.

Last week’s kill in NI finished at 9,269 head, down over 300 head on the previous week.

In total, there were 1,932 cows slaughtered, along with 7,109 prime cattle.

So far in 2026, the total kill is just under 150,000 head, down nearly 7% on the same period in 2025.

Cows

With the trade for manufacturing beef generally holding up, quotes for fat cows are steady and the best for an O+ cow is at 505p/kg.

Prices paid for cows did slip last week. R3 cows dropped by nearly 14p to average 548.3p, although R4s were up slightly at 556.6p/kg.

Among the cow kill, P2 tends to be one of the most popular grades, with prices paid down by 6.6p at 486.2p/kg.

P3s were down nearly 7p at 504.9p/kg.

NI sheep: easier trade as prices step back

After very strong prices in recent weeks, the NI sheep trade has taken a step backwards.

Mart prices are back by £5 to £18 per head for spring lambs and hoggets.

Quotes in the plants vary. Best quote for lamb is in Dunbia at 900p, down 5p/kg, with hoggets unchanged at 840p/kg.

In Gortin, lambs at 23.3kg made £183 or 788p, down by £10 per head, with 23kg at £180 or 782p down £5 per head.

In Kilrea, lambs at 21kg made £177 or 843p/kg, back £18 on last week. Lambs at 21.5kg made £180 or 837p/kg, also back by £18.

In Markethill, the trade was easier. Spring lambs made £178 for 20.5kg or 868p/kg, down £9 on last week, with £171.50 for 19kg or 903p/kg.

Heavy springs reached £190 for 25kg, down £5. Hoggets were £176 for 24.2kg or 727p/kg, down £18 on last week.

In Saintfield, a small show of lambs made from 780p to 860p/kg. Hoggets sold from 680p to 750p/kg.

However, in Ballymena midweek, the trade was firm. Lambs made £174.50 for 20kg or 873p, with £189 for 21kg or 900p/kg, £189 for 21.5kg or 879p and £194 for 22.5kg or 862p/kg.

Fat ewes

The trade for top fat ewes is back a little on last week.

In Gortin, the top price was £320, with a run from £200 to £280.

In Kilrea, the top was £236. Markethill sold ewes to £244, with a run from £170 to £218. In Saintfield, top price was £288 and in Rathfriland, the top was £244.