The best factory quote is back slightly at 584p for a U-3 grade steer and at 586p for a U-3 grade heifer, although, in most other cases, quotes are similar to last week.

There are some signs that the downward pressure on the market has eased, with deals on offer generally starting around the 586p/kg mark, with 4p to 6p more going for larger suppliers and butcher-type heifers.

The prices paid last week fell for the ninth week in a row, with U3 steers down 4.9p to average 596.1p/kg and U3 heifers back by 8p at 595.2p/kg.

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However, the price paid for some plainer cattle was back by a lesser extent, with O3 steers down 1p at 585.8p/kg.

Across all steers and heifers, the price paid averaged 589.5p/kg, down 2.8p on the previous week and the lowest weekly average since mid-February 2025. Nearly 38p has come off that average since the start of April 2026.

Factory agents maintain there are plenty of cattle still coming forward, with factories fully booked for next week and, in some cases, pushing cattle back into the third week of June.

Last week’s cattle kill of 9,917 was the second-largest of the year and largest weekly kill of prime cattle to date in 2026, with 7,925 head slaughtered.

Britain

Prices in Britain have been under significant downward pressure since mid-February, with R3 steers down another by 6.7p last week to average 602.6p/kg.

That price is down nearly 40p over the period, which leaves the price gap to NI around the 10p/kg mark.

The market in the Republic of Ireland is also continuing to trend down, but the price gap to NI has actually narrowed in recent weeks.

At the start of May, the price paid for U3 steers in NI was around 30p/kg higher in NI, but that difference is now closer to 15p/kg.

Cows

The best quote for a fat cow is at 494p/kg for an O+ animal, which is down 4p/kg on last week’s quote.

Prices paid are also down, with the average for an R4 cow last week dropping by 7.2p to 521p/kg.

R3 grading cows were back 2.1p at 522.1p/kg, while P2 grades were down 6.2p to average 461.2p/kg.

Around 30p/kg has come off cow prices since mid-February 2026, with most of that occurring in the last four weeks.

NI sheep: spring lamb takes a hit

The trade for spring lambs has weakened this week.

In the plants, the quote is at 840p/kg or £176.40 at the 21kg limit.

However, in Gortin, the trade was still strong. Lambs at 23.9kg made £203 or 849p, with 22.6kg at £199 or 880p. Lighter lambs at 21.1kg made £181 or 857p/kg.

In Kilrea, lightweight lambs were the best trade. Lambs at 19kg made £179 or 942p/kg, with 19.5kg at £180 or 923p. Lambs at 20kg made £188 or 940p, with 20.5kg at £188 or 917p. Lambs at 21kg made £193 or 919p, with 21.5kg at £198.50 or 923p/kg.

In Markethill, the trade was back on last week. Lambs at 20.1kg made £170 or 846p/kg, with 19.3kg at £163 or 845p/kg. Heavy lambs at 24.3kg made £192 or 790p, with 24.7kg at £190 or 796p/kg.

An easier trade in Saintfield saw lamb prices reaching £190 for 28kg, with £185 paid for 24.5kg and 21kg at £172/head.

In Ballymena on Wednesday, lambs at 21kg sold at £174 or 829p half weight, with 21.5kg at £184 or 856p and 22kg at £181 or 823p/kg.

Heavier lambs reached £194 for 24.5kg or 792p/kg.

Fat ewes

In Gortin, best ewes ran from £190 to a top of £234.

In Kilrea, the top was £312 and in Markethill, the best fleshed ewes sold from £180 to £256.

In Saintfield, the top was £248, with a run from £180 to £220.