Base factory quotes for fat cattle remain steady this week, with the best at 624p for U-3 grade steers and 628p for U-3 grade heifers.

Numbers of finished prime cattle remain relatively tight for the time of year, so anyone with in-spec animals to sell is in a strong position to negotiate deals.

Reports from farmers suggest there is little change to last week, with deals into the low 660s for farmers with a batch of cattle to sell.

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However, there are more cows coming to market, particularly on the back of the negative sentiment around milk prices from dairy processors.

The cow kill in the first week of November crossed 3,000 head for the first time this year and was the biggest weekly cow kill in 12 months.

If that situation continues, sources maintain it could allow factories to take quotes back slightly for both cows and prime cattle.

Others in the trade continue to point to a difficult UK market for steak meat not helped by imports from New Zealand and Australia.

Prices paid

Last week, the price paid for U3 steers was up 1.2p to average 662.4p/kg, with R3 steers up 2.1p at 659p/kg.

U3 grading heifers were back 1.1p at 661.4p/kg, although R3 heifers were up 1p at 658.5p/kg.

Across all steers and heifers, the price paid averaged 653.7p/kg, up 3.2p on the previous week and the highest average since May.

With prices paid for prime cattle in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) running 10p to 20p/kg ahead of NI in recent weeks, factories there are continuing to take prices down. Last week, the differential was closer to 5p to 10p/kg, with ROI prices similar to those in Britain.

Despite that price gap, 369 head were imported from ROI into NI for direct slaughter.

That number is around half of what has been seen in previous years, but it is still the highest since the end of September. Just 75 head were sent in the other direction.

Cows

Fat cow quotes are steady, with the best quote for an O+ cow at 540p/kg. Last week, the price paid for an R3 cow was 575.7p, down 4.8p, although R4s were up 2.5p at 580.3p/kg.

NI sheep: lamb trade steady in NI

Prices bid for fat lambs in marts are steady this week. Store prices remain strong.

The plants saw no change at 640p/kg, making a lamb worth £140.80 at the 22kg weight limit, although an extra 5p is available at a push.

In Gortin, heavy lambs at 29kg made to £152, with 30kg at £150.

A steady trade in Kilrea had 1,200 head selling from 600p to 688p/kg. The 688p was for exceptional 32kg animals at £220. Stores at 18.5kg made 670p or £124, with 17kg making 653p or £111.

In Markethill, a show of 960 lambs made from 600p to 663p/kg, little change. The 663p was for 20.5kg at £136, with 634p for 20.2kg at £128. Heavier lambs at 24.5kg made £144 or 588p, with 24.8kg at £143.50 or 579p/kg.

Store lambs were very firm, with 803p paid for 11.7kg at £94 and 757p for 14.3kg at £109.

Saintfield had a steady trade, with 700 lambs making from 600p to 710p/kg. Heavy Charollais at 39kg made £164, with Texels at 30kg at £158. Stores sold well with 17kg at £121.

In Ballymena, heavies at 27.5kg made £150, with 26kg at £143 and 24kg at £141.

Fat ewes

In Gortin, top prices for fat ewes were £295 and £212 and in Kilrea it was £214.

In Markethill, the top price was £230, with a run from £150 to £214. In Saintfield, the best Texels made £220, with Suffolks at £202.