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Processors are using the shorter kill week to keep a lid on the beef trade, with some plants pulling quotes by 4p/kg. However, other factories have left quotes unchanged.
This puts official base quotes on 416p to 424p/kg for U-3 grading animals.
But while quotes have eased, the prices on offer for prime cattle are holding firm.
However, farmers selling cattle under premium breed schemes such as Aberdeen Angus are losing out as base prices are reduced because bonus payments are payable on top of factory quotes.
Steers continue to move off farm at around 448p to 452p/kg. Heifers are also moving at similar levels, with higher prices reserved for butcher-type animals or larger numbers.
Young bulls are moving at the lower end of the 440p/kg range, although there are deals matching steer prices for animals meeting certain carcase weight limits.
While retail sales of premium cuts have slowed, there is solid demand for manufacturing beef and the food service sector which continues to underpin demand for cull cows.
Factories continue to talk the trade down, pointing to the cost of living crisis affecting the beef trade.
But processors cannot ignore that farmers are also being heavily hit by inflation, with rations currently up £130 to £150/t on last summer, fertiliser up £400/t and diesel costs doubling.
The negative price talk at local plants differs from market signals in Britain and the Republic of Ireland.
Prices in Britain are edging upwards this week, buoyed by demand ahead of the Commonwealth Games at the end of July. Prices for R4L cattle are typically 454p to 456p/kg.
In the Republic of Ireland, prices have steadied around €5.40/kg for U3 grading animals, which converts to 440p/kg.
Cows
Quotes on cull cows are steady at 360p to 370/kg for R3 animals, but this continues to fall well short of the prices on offer. Good cows continue to make 400p to 410p/kg.
Factories cut lamb prices
Marts are closed this week with two bank holidays taking place in Northern Ireland.
The trade at sales held on Saturday was steady, or slightly easier for plainer lambs. In the plants, quotes have been cut to 595p/kg making a lamb worth £124.95 at the 21kg weight limit.
Swatragh sold 1,225 fat lambs to a top of £130 for 24.7kg (525p/kg) with £129 paid for 26kg (496p/kg). Lambs at 25kg made £127 (508p/kg) with 24kg at £124 (517p/kg).
Lambs at 23kg made £128 (557p/kg), 23.5kg made £124.50 (530p/kg) and 23kg made £123.50 (530p/kg). Lightweight lambs at 19.9kg made £105.50 (530p/kg), 19kg made £100.50 (529p/kg) with 17.8kg at £88.50 (497p/kg).
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