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Base quotes on prime cattle remain unchanged for the second week in succession. This keeps U3 grading animals on 320p/kg for steers, with heifers on 322p/kg at the upper end of the quotes.
The outlook for cattle is relatively steady, as supplies of finished cattle remain plentiful.
Price deals above base quotes are mainly limited to larger finishers with bigger numbers or those with a supply agreement in place.
Most reports have steers moving freely at 320p/kg, with little more than 2p to 4p/kg above base on offer. Demand for young bulls is weak and farmers are struggling to better base price.
There is more of an edge to buying demand for prime heifers, with agents keen to secure butcher-type animals.
Prices for in-spec animals are similar to last week, with animals moving freely from 326p to 328p/kg, while 330p/kg has been paid at the top end of the market.
Last week, the average price paid on steers and heifers increased by 0.8p to 317.18p/kg. The average price paid on U3 steers was relatively static on 321.7p/kg, with U3 heifers rising by 2p to 331p/kg.
Cattle prices paid in NI are still ahead of the EU average, which has U3 steers on 319.8p/kg and U3 heifers on 329p/kg.
Imports of slaughter cattle from the Republic of Ireland to slaughter plants in NI continues to rise. Last week, 423 animals moved north for processing, up by 22 on the previous week.
There was no movement of NI cattle to slaughter plants in Britain.
However, there were 99 cattle moving in the opposite direction.
Cows
Base quotes on cows are steady, with R3 animals on 260p/kg and O+3 cows on 250p/kg. However, the increasing availability of cull cows has seen fewer price deals on offer.
Last week, the average price paid on cull cows was 268.9p/kg for R3 animals, with O grading cows averaging 252.1p/kg.
Lamb trade
There is a plentiful supply of factory-fit lambs at present and prices remain under pressure. Base quotes are down by 5p/kg, with 340p to 345p/kg on offer this week. This make lambs worth £72.45 at the 21kg carcase limit, down by £1/head on last week.
The mart trade has also weakened, with Donemana selling well-fleshed lambs to £72 for 25.5kg half-weight.
In Kilrea, 550 lambs sold from 298p to 315p/kg, down by 7p/kg for heavier lambs.
Massereene had a show of 923 lambs making 295p to 326p/kg, down by 5p/kg for heavier lambs.
In Saintfield, 802 lambs sold from 275p to 336p/kg, down by 17p/kg for heavier lambs and 8p/kg for lighter sorts.
Rathfriland had a show of 560 lambs selling from 283p to 365p/kg, with the average at 307p/kg, down by 10p/kg on last week.
Ewes
The fat ewe trade is reasonably steady this week, with some top prices up, while others are unchanged.
The top price in Newtownstewart was £74 and in Omagh, it was £81/head. Swatragh sold ewes to £84 for 320 head. In Massereene, top price was £95. In Saintfield, ewes made £85 and in Rathfriland, ewes made £95/head.
The store lamb trade remains firm and the top price in Ballymena was £64.50 for Texels. Charollais lambs made £63 and Suffolks sold to £60/head.
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