Quotes for fat cattle are steady this week. The best quote is at 624p for U-3 grade steers and 628p for U-3 grade heifers.

Those quotes remain well behind the actual prices on offer, with deals into the 660s for anyone with numbers to sell.

The supply of prime cattle remains relatively tight and with factories looking to meet Christmas orders, agents have had to pay slightly more than in recent weeks.

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That is reflected in last week’s prices paid, with U3 grading steers averaging 661.2p/kg, up 2.6p. It is the first time that price has crossed the 660p mark since the first week of June. The same grade of heifers averaged 662.5p/kg, up 2.8p.

Across all steers, the price averaged 650.1p/kg, with heifers at 651.2p.

This time last year, the market in ROI was 60p behind NI, which helped to keep local prices in check. However, that situation has completely changed, with ROI prices strong during much of the summer and seeing a resurgence in recent weeks.

The price advantage over NI is currently around 5p to 10p for steers and around 15p for heifers, which leaves the ROI trade broadly in line with Britain. Prices there were generally up by 3p to 4p/kg last week, with Scotland coming into line with English prices.

Looking ahead, processors in ROI argue that they cannot sustain paying prices comparable to Britain. Reports suggest they are keen to take 10c/kg off prices within the next week.

Imports

With very strong prices in ROI, it has reduced the incentive to take cattle north for direct slaughter.

A total of 303 head came in last week, which was the highest for five weeks, but still well behind the 732 from the same week in 2024. Seventy head made the trip in the opposite direction.

Cows

Fat cow quotes are steady, with the best quote for an O+ cow at 540p/kg.

However, more is being paid, especially for suckler types, with R3 cows averaging 580.5p/kg last week, up 3.6p on the previous week. P2 grade cows averaged 516.6p/kg, up 0.5p, with P3 grades at 533.6p/kg.

NI sheep: firm prices bid for lamb

Prices bid for fat lambs in the marts are firm for heavy sorts, but little changed for mid-weights.

The plants are no change at 640p/kg, making a lamb worth £140.80 at the 22kg weight limit.

In Gortin, heavy lambs at 28kg made to £154, with 28.1kg at £150.

A steady trade in Kilrea had 1,000 head selling from 596p for heavier sorts to well over 700p/kg for stores, with 700p paid for 18kg at £126, with 674p for 17.5kg at £118. Lambs at 22.5kg made 600p at £135, with 21.5kg at 595p or £128. Heavier lambs sold from £146 to £152.

In Markethill, a smaller show of 720 lambs made from 610p to 641p/kg, no change. The 641p was for 20.4kg at £131, with 640p for 20kg at £128. Heavier lambs at 24.4kg made £146 or 598p/kg, with 24.3kg at £144.50 or 595p/kg.

Store lambs were very firm, with 875p paid for 14.4kg at £126 and 758p for 15.3kg at £116.

Saintfield had a steady trade, with 690 lambs making from 595p to 725p/kg. Heavy Charollais at 35kg made £166, with Texels at 30kg at £159.

Heavy lambs were a good trade in Rathfriland, with 32kg at £151, 27.5kg at £148.50 and 26kg at £148.

In Ballymena, heavies at 30.5kg made £158, with 25.5kg at £147 and 24.5kg at £142.50. Stores at 16kg made £108.

Fat ewes

In Gortin, top prices were £216 and £210 and in Kilrea, ewes sold to £230.

In Markethill, the top price was £248, with a run from £150 to £218.

In Saintfield, the best Texels made £240, with others at £230 and £222. And in Rathfriland, strong ewes made £174.