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Beef prices are on a downward curve, with processors cutting quotes by 2p to 6p/kg this week, putting the range of base prices for prime cattle on 344p to 358p/kg for U-3 grading animals.
Processors point to a slowdown in beef sales and an increase in supplies as the main reasons for the current cuts.
However, while factory prices are moving in a downward direction, there is little sign that demand for finished cattle sold through the live ring is easing.
Heavy fleshed cattle with U grading conformation are returning prices of 220p/kg, which converts to a beef price in the region of 380p/kg.
Where farmers are offloading cattle for slaughter, reports indicate it has become increasingly difficult to negotiate for higher prices.
Farmers with limited numbers are being held close to base quotes, with animals moving off farm at 358p to 360p/kg.
More regular finishers with bigger numbers indicate price deals are limited to 364p to 366p/kg, with heifers an easier sell than steers.
Out-of-spec cattle are a much harder sell compared with previous weeks, with farmers encountering significant penalties on animals exceeding weight limits.
Last week, the average price paid across all grades of steers and heifers fell by 2.8p to 359.4p/kg.
The average price paid for U3 steers fell by 4.3p to 367.7p/kg, with U3 heifers down 2.3p to 372p/kg.
Prices on young bulls fell by almost 7p/kg to an average of 360.5p/kg for U3 animals. Across the water, the beef trade is much firmer.
Last week, R4L steers averaged 384.9p/kg, while heifers at the same grade averaged 383p/kg, compared with 364p and 365p/kg for similar grades processed at local plants.
Cows
With prime cattle quotes eased, the cow trade is hardening, with base prices for R3 cows rising 5p/kg to 280p/kg, with O+3 animals on 270p/kg. Last week, prices paid on R3 cows fell by 2.6p to an averaged 296.7p/kg.
Lamb trade
There were more fat lambs on offer in the marts this week, but the trade has held firm, with midweek sales up £2/head.
Factory quotes have improved by 5p/kg to 450p/kg, with others on 445p/kg, making a lamb worth £94.50 at the 21kg carcase limit.
In Kilrea, 550 lambs sold from 407p to 477p, unchanged for heavier lambs and significantly higher for light store lambs.
Massereene had a show of 1,073 lambs which sold from 410p to 452p/kg, unchanged on last week. Lambs sold to £104 for 28kg, £102 for 26kg, £99 for 25kg and £95 for 24kg.
Saintfield sold 577 lambs from 410p to 480p/kg, up by 10p/kg on last week.
Trade in Lisahally was firmer, up £2/head. The heaviest lambs made £99 to £103, with a big run from £93 to £98/head.
In Rathfriland, 849 lambs sold from 410p to 505p/kg, with the sale average 430p/kg, up 9p/kg on last week. The main run was from £95 to £99. Stores were very dear, with £72 paid for 16kg half-weight and £65 for 11kg.
Ewes
Well-fleshed fat ewes are still a good trade. Omagh sold ewes to £110 with Swatragh selling to £123 and Kilrea to £95. In Massereene, top prices were £114 for Suffolks, £100 for Charollais, £90 for Mules and £61 for Blackface. In Saintfield, top was £111 and in Rathfriland, the top was £134/head for a pen of Texels.
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