Local factories have increased their base quotes for fat cattle, with the best quote at 624p for U-3 grade steers and 628p for U-3 grade heifers, up 2p/kg on last week.

Numbers remain reasonably tight and with a strong market in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), factories are having to pay more to secure numbers.

It means prices into the low-660s for U-3 grades are now a more realistic prospect for farmers with cattle to sell.

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Last week, U3 steers averaged 658.6p/kg, up 0.5p on the previous week, with U3 heifers up by 0.8p/kg to average 659.7p/kg.

Across all steers and heifers, the average price paid was 650.1p/kg, up 1.7p/kg.

It is the highest average paid for prime cattle since mid-September.

Prices have also edged up in Britain, while, in ROI, tight numbers has brought rapidly increasing prices in recent weeks, leaving the trade ahead of NI for some of the higher conformation grades.

That has effectively removed any incentive to take cattle north for slaughter, with just 195 head coming in last week, the lowest weekly total since August.

High exports

However, with much higher cow prices south of the border, 105 NI cattle were sent in the opposite direction for direct slaughter – it is actually the highest weekly NI export total to ROI since October 2022.

This time last year, NI prices were over 60p/kg ahead of ROI, which helped to attract 833 Irish cattle for direct slaughter in NI.

The lack of numbers coming north is also having an impact on the overall NI kill. Last week, it totalled 10,405 head, which is the largest weekly kill this year, but still well down on the 12,173 head this time last year.

The increased slaughter numbers last week were mainly on the back of a big kill of cows, with 2,934 slaughtered, the largest weekly number in 2025 and nearly 400 head more than the previous week.

Cows

Fat cow quotes have moved up at two plants, with the best quote for an O+ cow at 540p/kg.

Last week, the average price paid for R3 cows was up 10p to average 576.9p/kg, while R4s averaged 581.3p/kg.

NI sheep: factories paying more for lamb

Prices bid for fat lambs in the marts have increased by up to 20p/kg and to keep pace, the plants have lifted quotes to 640p/kg, making a lamb worth £140.80 at the 22kg weight limit.

In Gortin, heavy lambs at 30.2kg made to £159, with 24.1kg to £145/head.

A stronger trade in Kilrea had 950 head from 600p to 695p/kg, up by 5p for heavier sorts. The top price was £160 for 25.5kg or 628p/kg.

Lambs at 23kg made 646p at £148.50, with 21kg at 631p or £132.50/head. Stores were a strong trade, with 695p for 19.5kg at £135.50 and 689p for 18kg at £124.

In Markethill, 1,040 lambs made from 610p to 640p/kg in a firmer trade. The 640p was for 20kg at £128, with 636p for 20.3kg at £129. Heavier lambs at 24.8kg made £148.50, with 24.3kg at £140.

Stores were a super trade, with 821p paid for 12.3kg at £101 and 800p for 14kg at £112.

Saintfield sold 880 lambs in a sharper trade from 600p to 745p/kg, up by from 5p to 10p. The best at 24kg made £142, with 23kg at £138. Stores sold well, with 18kg at £125 and 17kg at £121.

A good show of lambs in Ballymena saw 20.5kg making £132.50 or 646p, with 21.5kg at £137.50 or 640p/kg. Lambs at 23.5kg made £146 or 621p/kg.

Fat ewes

The trade for fat ewes has improved. In Gortin, top prices were £225 and £200 and in Kilrea, it was £212.

Markethill recorded a top price of £268, with a run from £140 to £240/head. Plainer sorts sold from £80 to £125.

In Saintfield, the best Texels made £240 with others from £212 to £237 a head. And in Rathfriland the top was £220.