The plants have maintained their quotes for clean cattle, giving a best of 612p for U-3 grade steers and heifers.

The actual deals on offer are generally steady after a few weeks when the trade has edged down.

However, reports from farmers suggest there is some variation in starting prices, with some agents making an initial offer in the late 620s, although deals in the low to mid-630s are available, with 2p more going for heifers.

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With a short week coming up, there is no great pressure to secure supplies.

Last week, the price paid for U3 steers averaged 635.2p/kg, down 2.1p on the previous week. U3 heifers were at 637.4p/kg, down 1.9p.

Across all steers and heifers the price paid averaged 629.4p/kg, down 2.7p and the lowest overall weekly average since early July 2025.

However, much greater price reductions have been seen in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) in recent weeks.

Last autumn, similar prices were being paid either side of the Irish border, but there is now a price advantage of nearly 40p/kg in favour of NI suppliers.

In Britain, the trade has steadied, with prices paid edging up last week to sit 5p to 10p/kg ahead of NI, depending on grade.

Imports

The price gap to ROI continues to attract cattle north for direct slaughter, with 618 head imported last week and only 24 going in the opposite direction.

No NI cattle were sent to Britain for direct slaughter and it is now nearly a year since the last cattle were shipped.

The total NI kill last week was 9,647 head, which was the biggest weekly kill since early February and included 2,026 cows.

However, slaughter numbers are still down on the same period in 2025, with the cow kill back around 11% and the prime kill running 5% behind last year.

Cows

The quotes for fat cows are steady at the plants and the best quote for an O+ cow is at 506p/kg.

Much more is available for well-fleshed sucklers, although the price paid for an R3 cow was down 16.5p last week at 553.3p/kg.

Prices paid for P grades were steady, with P3s averaging 517.8p/kg.

NI sheep: hoggets and spring lamb trade up

The mart trade for hoggets has moved up again, helping to take factory quotes to 830p for 22kg and 810p for 22.5kg deadweight, which leaves hoggets at a maximum of £182.60.

The spring lamb quote at ABP Linden has opened at 880p/kg or £184.80 at 21kg deadweight.

In the marts, Gortin saw record prices for hoggets. A heavyweight at 37kg made £225, with others from £194 to £214. Hoggets at 24kg made from £180 to £200.

Trade in Kilrea was steady, with hoggets selling to a top of 800p/kg for 24.5kg at £196, with 766p for 25kg at £191.50. Spring lambs sold to £202 for 24.5kg or 824p/kg and for 26.5kg or 762p/kg. The top per kg was 897p for 18.5kg at £166.

In Markethill, a firm trade saw midweight hoggets selling to 801p/kg for 21.1kg at £177, with 781p for 22.4kg at £175. Spring lambs sold to £196 for 25kg or 784p/kg, with £195 for 26kg or 750p/kg. The top per kg was 913p for 20.6kg at £188.

In Ballymena, hoggets at 30kg made £206, with 25.5kg at £193 and 22kg at £182. Spring lambs sold from £200 to £210 and to 971p for 20.5kg at £199.

Fat ewes

In Gortin, the top price was £336, with a run from £240 to £294. In Kilrea, the top was £328.

In Markethill, the top was £284, with a run from £200 to £276.