Quotes for fat cattle have slipped again this week by another 2p to 6p/kg, leaving the best quote at 614p for U-3 grade steers and heifers.

Farmers report the actual prices being paid are also down, with some factory agents quoting as low as 640p/kg.

However, most others have taken around 6p off, which leaves deals around 644p to 648p/kg, depending on numbers being offered.

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It is a buyers’ market at present, with factories operating short weeks over the Christmas period. There is also no shortage of cull dairy cows coming forward, while farmers have also been keen to get prime cattle slaughtered before the start of 2026, when the age limit for the beef carbon reduction scheme falls from 28 to 27 months.

Last week, the price paid for U3 steers was down 2.4p at 654.1p/kg, with U3 heifers back 4.5p at 652.2p/kg.

Across all steers and heifers, the average price paid was down 4.5p at 643.8p/kg. It means that over the last four weeks, the average price paid has dropped 10.2p/kg.

Prices paid in Britain are also under pressure, with steers and heifers down by around 6p to 8p/kg last week, which leaves the gap to NI prices at approximately 12p/kg.

There has been an increase in the number of cattle slaughtered at NI plants in recent weeks. Last week, 10,650 cattle were processed, which is the biggest weekly kill since early May.

That total included 2,709 cows, which is slightly ahead of the average of 2,648 seen over the last 10 weeks.

However, the 2025 kill continues to run behind 2024. In the same week last year, there were 11,132 cattle slaughtered, including 2,848 cows.

The quotes for fat cows have fallen at some plants and the best quote for an O+ cow is at 505p/kg.

Last week, the average price paid for an R4 grade cow was down 3.8p at 561.7p/kg. P3 grades averaged 514p/kg, down 7.7p, while P2 cows dipped below 500p/kg for the first time since mid-July.

Closures

Over the Christmas period, factories are closed on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 December and Thursday 1 January.

NI sheep: new life in lamb trade

The trade in the marts for fat lambs is buoyant, with prices increasing by up to 40p/kg.

The plants have increased quotes to 630p/kg, making a lamb worth £138.60 at the 22kg weight limit.

In Gortin, prices reached £147 for 29.3kg or 503p/kg. Lambs at 23.5kg made £138 or 587p/kg.

A strong sale in Kilrea saw 700 lambs selling from 565p to 631p/kg, up by 30p for heavier sorts and by 80p for lightweights. The 631p was for 19.5kg at £123. Lambs at 23kg made £143.50 or 624p, with 24kg at £149.50 or 623p/kg.

In Markethill, a small show of 590 fat lambs made from 560p to 600p/kg, up by 40p on last week. The 600p was for 23kg at £138, with 594p for 21.2kg at £126.

Heavier lambs sold from £132 to £142/head, the latter for 25.7kg half-weight. Store lambs sold from 600p to 691p for 16.8kg at £116.

In Saintfield, the show was small, but trade was strong. Texels at 30kg made £152, with 26kg at £148. Suffolks at 25kg made £145, while Charollais also at 25kg made £142.

Fat ewes

In Gortin, the best fat ewes made £200 and £208, with others from £146 to £194. In Kilrea, the top was £194.

In Markethill, top ewes made from £200 to £230, with others from £130 to £198. And in Saintfield, tops were £180 and £160/head.