Base quotes for U-3 grade cattle have stabilised this week around the 350p/kg mark, after a number of weeks where quotes had been on the slide.

However, regular suppliers are still working off a base of 356p to 358p/kg.

Sources indicate that the bottom has probably been reached in terms of base prices, especially for prime cattle.

There are some indications of a slight turn in the trade south of the Irish border, where improved grass growth has taken the pressure off farmers to sell.

Numbers of prime cattle are also reported as slightly tighter in Britain this week.

In recent weeks, strong numbers coming for slaughter in NI has had a negative impact on the local trade.

The average price paid for steers and heifers last week was 349.04p/kg, down over 2p on the previous week, and 13p/kg less than prices paid at the end of June.

For three of the five weeks since then, the total weekly kill was over 8,000 head, due mainly to some big kills of cows.

However, last week, the total weekly kill fell to 7,420, down nearly 1,000 head on the previous week.

The cow kill was also down significantly, to 1,735 cows.

In terms of imports and exports, the trade in cattle from the south saw 75 head coming in for slaughter.

Trade in the opposite direction was down at 147 head; and 38 head were recorded as going across to Britain.

Cow trade

The fat cow trade is also steady this week after the recent falls.

The best quote for an R grade is at 280p/kg, with others on 270p. The best quote for an O+3 grade cow is at 270p/kg, with others on 265p/kg.

The average price paid for R4 grade cows last week was 286.1p/kg.

Lamb trade

The lamb trade has weakened this week, with plants pulling quotes by 10p and 15p/kg. Quotes are at 405p, making a lamb worth £85.05 at the 21kg limit.

In the marts, there were more lambs forward and prices dropped by up to 20p/kg.

In Kilrea, they sold 600 lambs from 360p to 377p/kg, down by 20p on last week.

Massereene sold 1,267 lambs making from 360p to 398p/kg, down by 20p on last week.

In Saintfield, 702 lambs made from 350p to 385p/kg, down by 15p for heavier lambs.

At Rathfriland, they had 893 lambs on offer, selling from 348p to 384p/kg. The overall average was 363p, down by 18p on last week. Per head, the average was £83.50.

There were big numbers of fat ewes in the marts, but the trade remained firm and top prices were up at some marts. Top price in Newtownstewart was £85. In Omagh, it was £114. Swatragh sold a massive 600 head to a top of £100. Top in Kilrea was £92 and in Massereene the top was £114 for a big sale of 441 head. Saintfield had a sale of 183 ewes selling to a top of £90. In Rathfriland, they sold 254 head to £100.

In the store lamb sale in Ballymena, Suffolks sold to a top of £76.50 and £71. Crossbreds made to £72, with Texels to £70.