Base quotes from local factories given to the Irish Farmers Journal show no change again this week and the best quote is at 614p for U-3 grading steers and heifers.

Those base quotes have been unchanged this year and it is a similar picture for the actual deals on offer.

Reports from farmers continue to suggest most factory agents are starting out with an offer of 646p to 648p/kg to regular suppliers for U-3 cattle, with 650p/kg going for larger numbers and butcher-type heifers.

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Numbers of finished cattle are reasonably tight, which is helping to underpin the trade.

Last week, the prices paid for U3 steers edged back 1.6p to average 647.6p/kg, with R3s down 1.3p at 643.9p/kg.

However, heifers were up marginally, with U3 grades at 650.9p/kg and R3s at 645.3p/kg. Across all steers and heifers, the average price paid was down just 0.3p at 641.8p/kg – that average price has moved very little since early December 2025.

Britain

In England, after eight weeks of prices edging backwards, there has been growing resistance from finishers to any further price cuts. Last week, the prices paid were generally unchanged or up slightly in some instances.

As a result, average prices paid in Britain are closely matched with those in NI. This time last year, NI was over 50p/kg behind the prices on offer across the Irish Sea.

In the Republic of Ireland, the trade is also steady, which leaves prices about 20p/kg below those available in NI.

That gap has attracted some more cattle north for direct slaughter, with 446 head coming in last week, which is the highest weekly total since September 2025.

The NI kill last week stood at 9,559 head, down 589 on the previous week. It included 1,997 cows, which is the lowest weekly cow kill so far this year.

Cows

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

The starting point for R grades remains around the 560p/kg mark, with the price paid for R3s averaging 560.2p/kg last week, up 4.1p and R4s at 568.8p/kg, up 8.3p.

NI sheep: hogget trade at 650p/kg

The steady trade in the marts for hoggets has continued this week.

One plant has increased its quote by 10p and quotes are at 650p/kg for 22kg and 22.5kg deadweight.

A strong trade in Gortin saw prices reaching £168 for 34kg and £163 for 31kg. Hoggets at 26kg made £147, with 24.3kg at £142.

Trade in Kilrea was steady, with 1,050 hoggets selling from 600p to 658p/kg. Hoggets at 21kg made £135, with 24kg at £149.50. Heavier sorts made from £152 to £157/head.

In Markethill, 830 hoggets sold from 590p to 655p/kg. The 655p was for 20kg at £131, with 632p for 20.2kg at £127.50.

Stores sold to 675p/kg for 16kg at £108.

In Saintfield, a small show of 500 hoggets made from 595p to 700p/kg, little change on last week. Heavies from 26kg to 30kg made from £145 to £155.

In Ballymena, the trade was firm. The best hoggets at 24.5kg made £157.50 or 643p/kg, with 24kg at £148.50 or 619p/kg.

Fat ewes

In Gortin, the best ewes made £250 and £290, with others from £178 to £238.

In Kilrea the top was £300 and in Markethill. the best fat ewes made from £140 to £196.

In Saintfield, top ewes made from £200 to £220, with a run from £160 to £188.