The quotes for clean cattle have slipped again at one plant, this time by 10p/kg.
The best quote is now at 605p/kg for both U-3 grade steers and heifers, but this too may be under further pressure. Others have their base quote at 600p/kg.
Despite the downward momentum, actual market returns continue to be well ahead of these quotes, with deals on offer generally starting in the low-to mid-620s, with more going for larger numbers and butcher-type heifers.
After eight consecutive weeks of rising prices, that run came to a halt at the end of October.
Over that eight-week period, prices in NI went up 30p/kg, although sources maintain it was driven by tight supplies in Britain, rather than a sustainable increase in market returns.
With more numbers coming forward and a big gap to prices in the Republic of Ireland, there is now a price correction within the trade.
Last week, the prices paid for steers and heifers in NI were down by around 3p/kg.
U3 steers averaged 629.3p/kg, down 2.8p on the previous week, with U3 heifers at 630.6p/kg, down 3.2p.
Across all steers and heifers, prices paid reduced by 2.6p to average 621.6p/kg.
British prices
In Britain, reports suggest the trade is under further downward pressure this week after seeing reductions of 1p to 3p/kg in prices paid last week for U and R grades.
Those price reductions last week were the first seen in Britain since the early summer and, over the period, prices paid are up by over 50p/kg. The gap to NI stands at around 25p/kg.
In the Republic of Ireland, reports suggest the trade is generally steady this week, with agents keen to secure stock. However, there remains a large price gap, with the NI trade around 70p/kg ahead of southern counterparts.
The trade in cattle coming in from the south for direct slaughter in NI was down slightly to 395 head last week. Just 24 cattle went in the opposite direction.
Cows
Quotes for fat cows have taken a hit and have slipped at two plants by 15p and 20p. Best for an R grade is at 520p and for an O+ cow it is 510p/kg.
The price paid last week for an R3 cow was 520.7p, down 18.4p.
No change to NI lamb quotes
Factory quotes for fat lambs are unchanged, with a best of 690p for 22kg. In the marts, the trade is steady or slightly firmer.
In Gortin, heavy lambs at 29kg made £170, with 26.8kg at £160.50. Lambs at 24.3kg sold to £150, with 23.5kg at £146.50. Store lambs at 21.9kg made to £131.50 and 18.5kg to £124.50.
In Kilrea, fat lambs at 23kg sold to £145 or 630p/kg. Store lambs at 18.5kg made £121.50 or 657p/kg and 10.5kg made £71 or 676p/kg.
In Markethill heavy lambs sold to 628p for 25.5kg at £160, with 610p for 25.9kg at £158. Mid-weights sold to 689p/kg for 20.1kg at £138, with 678p for 20.5kg at £139.
Light stores saw 765p/kg paid for 13.2kg at £101 and 750p for 16kg at £120. Heavier sorts made to 739p/kg for 18kg at £133.
In Rathfriland, very heavy lambs at 31.5kg and 34.3kg made £176 and £180, with 24kg at £148. Stores at 16.3kg sold to £126 or 773p/kg.
In Ballymena, trade was firmer and lambs at 24kg made £155 or 646p/kg. Heavies at 34kg sold for £184 or 541p/kg. Stores at 19.5kg made £126 or 646p/kg.
Fat ewes
In Gortin, ewes sold from £166 to £230 and in Kilrea, the top was £212.
In Markethill, the best ewes made £160 to £242, with seconds from £110 to £150.
In Rathfriland, the top was £248.
