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Official quotes are unchanged this week, with 428p/kg on offer at the top end of the market for U-3 grading animals.
But as has been the case for several months, quotes are running well below the prices paid for prime cattle.
Farmers with a steady supply of in-spec heifers remain on the front foot when negotiating for higher prices and cattle agents are showing greater flexibility to secure numbers.
Most reports put heifers on a starting price of 442p/kg, but regular sellers and farmers with bigger numbers indicate 446p/kg continues to be widely available.
At the top end of the market, butcher-type heifers are pushing upwards to 450p/kg, but such prices are mostly reserved for regular finishers.
Steers are also a steady trade around 440p/kg, with regular finishers indicating 2p/kg more on offer. Some farmers report that haulage is being included in deals in lieu of higher prices.
Young bulls are moving off farm for around 430p/kg, although some deals are being made at 436p to 438p/kg, subject to meeting strict carcase weight limits.
Last week, the average price paid across steers and heifers of all conformation was fractionally lower at 427.65p/kg.
On U3 grading cattle, steers slipped by 0.5p/kg to average 439.9p/kg, with heifers rising by 2.1p/kg to average 445.1p/kg. Young bulls at the same grade rose by 1.4p/kg to average 430.1p/kg.
The weekly kill hit record levels, with 11,715 processed, surpassing the previous high point reached three weeks ago.
It is the fourth consecutive week that factory throughput has exceeded the 11,000 threshold, during which time prices have edged upwards, despite processors claiming a slowdown in beef sales.
Cows
With processors prioritising kill lines for prime cattle, prices for cull cows are under pressure. Supplies have increased and there are delays in getting cows processed. The best quotes for R3 animals are on 360p/kg, with little more than 5p to 10p/kg more on offer.
NI sheep: fat lamb trade holding firm
After a steady start to the week, there is a slightly better outlook for the sheep trade moving into the weekend, as prices south of border increase.
This filtered through to the live ring, with buying agents for southern plants becoming more competitive on price.
Local plants have responded, with the best starting price on 515p/kg payable to a 22kg carcase limit on offer.
However, deals of 520p to 525p/kg are widely available to keep pace with the live trade and ward off competition from southern processors.
In Kilrea, 950 lambs sold from 457p to 482p/kg, little changed on last week. Well-fleshed lambs at 23kg made £110, with 22kg to £104.50.
In Massereene, 748 head made 450p to 484p/kg, down slightly on last week for lighter lambs. Top prices for 22kg were £106.50, £106 and £105. Lambs at 21kg made to £97. Heavier lots at 25kg made £112 to £114.
Saintfield sold 675 lambs from 455p to 568p/kg. Heavy lambs at 30kg made £116.50, 27kg and 26kg made £113, 24kg made £110, with 22kg to £103. The best light lambs at 18kg made £95, with 17kg at £93.
In Rathfriland, 756 lambs sold from 465p to 541p/kg, averaging 476p/kg, which is up 6p/kg on last week.
On Wednesday, Ballymena saw an improved trade. Lambs at 27.5kg made £117, 26.5kg made £114 and 24.5kg to £111. Lighter lambs at 19.5kg made to £94.
Ewes
Fat ewes have improved this week, with firm prices. In Kilrea, top price was £145. Massereene sold to £105 for Dorsets and Suffolks, Texels to £102 and Mules at £92.
In Saintfield, strong Texel ewes made £235, with others from £119 to £188. Rathfriland sold to £216.
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