Quotes for prime cattle have slipped back by 4p at one plant this week, but the rest are unchanged, leaving the best quote at 624p for U-3 grading steers and heifers.

Numbers remain tighter than normal for this time of year and with factories still looking for cattle to fulfil Christmas orders, it has left the local market on a sound footing. The actual prices being paid remain in the high-650s, with slightly more available for anyone with a load of in-spec cattle to sell.

Last week, the prices paid for U3 grading steers and heifers both averaged over 662p/kg, with steers up 0.3p at 662.7p/kg and heifers up 0.8p at 662.3p/kg.

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Across all steers and heifers, the price paid averaged 654p/kg, an increase of 0.3p on the previous week and the highest weekly average since the end of May.

In the Republic of Ireland (ROI), the trade has settled after a couple of weeks of price falls and that has helped ensure a steady market in NI.

In early November, prices in the south were running 10p to 20p/kg ahead of NI. However, prices paid for prime cattle are now closely matched either side of the border.

With little financial incentive to take Irish cattle north for direct slaughter, it means imports into NI remain subdued. Just 240 head came in last week, down from 369 in the previous week. A total of 41 head were sent in the opposite direction.

Britain

In Britain, the beef market continued to edge up last week, mainly on the back of increased prices in Scotland, which have lagged behind England in recent weeks.

It has left the prices paid for top grades in Britain around 10p to 15p ahead of NI.

Cows

The base quotes on offer for fat cows have slipped back by 6p at one factory, but the best quote for an O+ cow remains at 540p/kg.

More is available for well-fleshed suckler types, with 580p/kg to 585p/kg generally on offer.

Last week, R3 grading cows averaged 580.2p, up 4.5p, with R4 grades at 581.7p, up 1.4p/kg.

P2 grading cows were at 516p/kg, while P3 grade cows averaged 535.6p/kg.

NI sheep: lamb quotes up 5p/kg in NI

The plants in NI have picked up by 5p to 645p/kg, making a lamb worth £141.90 at the 22kg weight limit.

In the marts, the trade for heavy lambs remains robust.

In Gortin, lambs at 27kg made to £151.50, with 32.5kg at £154/head.

Trade in Kilrea had 1,000 head selling from 592p to 645p/kg, down by 8p for heavies and by up to 39p for stores. The 645p was for 20kg at £129. Lambs at 23kg made 600p or £138, with 23.5kg making 598p or £140.50. Heavier lambs made from £146 to £160.

In Markethill, a show of 1,100 lambs made from 600p to 639p/kg, no change for heavier sorts and down 24p for stores. The 639p was for 20.1kg at £128.50, with 630p for 21.2kg at £133.50. Heavier lambs at 24.5kg made £147 or 600p/kg.

Store lambs were easier, with 779p paid for 15.4kg at £120 and 769p for 15.6kg also at £120.

With only 640 lambs on offer, Saintfield had a firmer trade from 600p to 710p/kg. Heavy lambs at 29kg made £159 and £154. Lambs at 25kg made from £145 to £149, with 24kg to £144. Stores sold well, with 19kg at £125.

In Ballymena, heavies at 28kg made £151, with 26.5kg at £147.50 and 24.5kg Texels at £149.

Fat ewes

In Gortin top prices for fat ewes were £260 and £230 and in Kilrea it was £232.