Quotes for fat cattle are generally steady again this week, with the best quote at 622p/kg for U-3 grade steers and 626p/kg for U-3 grade heifers.

These quotes remain well behind the actual prices on offer, with deals starting in and around 656p/kg, with more being paid for in-spec cattle.

Sources maintain that numbers remain unusually tight for this time of year. Earlier in October, some factories had threatened to pull prices, which normally would attract more farmers to sell. However, it didn’t work and slightly more is now having to be paid to secure numbers.

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That is reflected in last week’s prices paid, with U3 steers up 3.6p to average 658.1p/kg and U3 heifers rising 2.4p to average 658.9p/kg.

Across all steers, prices were up by 2.1p at 647.5p/kg and heifers increased 4.4p to an average of 649.6p/kg. Those prices are now back in line with what was paid in NI at the end of September.

ROI prices

The trade in NI is also being helped by tight numbers and rising prices in the Republic of Ireland.

Having been over 20p/kg behind NI prices in late September, the trade in the south has now come closely into line with NI.

That has also affected the number of live cattle coming north for slaughter. Just 239 were imported last week, which was the lowest total since August and around 600 head behind the same week in 2024. Just 88 cattle (mostly cows) were sent in the opposite direction.

In Britain, the market is also remaining strong, especially in England, where prices have caught up with what was being paid in Scotland. The trade in Britain remains slightly ahead of NI for U and R grades.

Cows

Fat cow quotes are steady at the plants, with the best quote for an O+ cow at 535p/kg.

Last week, R3 grading cows were back slightly to average 566.9p/kg, with R4s at 559.4p/kg.

However, P2 grades were up 3.6p at 515.3p/kg.

The prices paid for cows in NI remain approximately 10p/kg behind prices in Britain, but around 50p/kg behind an exceptional cow trade in the Republic of Ireland.

NI sheep: best lamb quote at 630p/kg

Quotes for fat lambs have slipped at one plant, but the best quote remains at 630p/kg for 22kg, making a lamb worth £138.60 at the limit.

However, in the marts, prices bid for fat lambs picked up at the start of the week, while store prices remain very strong.

In Gortin, heavy lambs at 29kg made to £145, with 24kg to £137.

Kilrea sold 800 head from 595p to 732p/kg, up by 15p for heavier sorts. Stores were a strong trade, with 670p for 18.5kg at £124 and 657p for 17.5kg at £115. The top price of 732p was paid for 23.5kg at £172. Lambs at 23kg made 609p at £140, with 21kg at 595p or £125/head.

In Markethill, 1,250 lambs sold from 590p to 644p/kg, up by 10p for heavies. The 644p was for 20.2kg at £130, with 640p for 20kg at £128.

Store lambs were a massive trade, with 820p paid for 15kg at £123 and 775p for 13.3kg at £103. Stronger stores had 712p for 17.2kg at £123.

Saintfield sold 745 lambs from 595p to 735p/kg. Heavy Texels at 29kg made £154, with 26kg at £141.50. The best at 24kg made £135.50. Stores sold well, with 18kg at £124 and 17kg at £119.

A good show of heavy lambs in Ballymena had 27kg making £140 or 540p, with 23kg at £133 or 578p/kg.

Fat ewes

In Gortin the top fat ewes made £190 and in Kilrea, the top was £196.

In Markethill, the top price was £250, with a run from £125 to £195/head. Plainer sorts sold from £80 to £110.

In Saintfield, the best Suffolks made £220, with Texels at £218 and Charollais at £200.