Northern View: base cattle quotes remain under pressure

Quotes for fat cattle in the plants have eased again this week, with starting prices at 614p for clean U-3 grading steers and a best of 618p for clean heifers, down around 10p/kg on last week.

Factory agents continue to point to slow retail beef sales, with market sentiment not helped by some UK supermarkets offering customers the option of cheaper South American steaks.

However, actual prices paid continue to trend ahead of base quotes, with farmers reporting prices on offer starting in the mid-630s, with more going for regular suppliers.

Last week, the average price paid across all steers was 639.1p/kg, down 11.6p, with heifers at 640.1p/kg, down 9.8p.

U3 steers averaged 655.8p/kg, with U3 heifers at 652.1p/kg.

It is a similar picture in Britain, where prices paid for prime cattle were down another 8 to 12p/kg last week, leaving the average U-3 steer price in Britain at 654.2p/kg, which is in line with the NI trade.

Over 60p/kg has come off the price in Britain since the start of May.

However, there are some indications this week that the price across the Irish Sea might be starting to stabilise.

With similar prices being paid in Britain and NI, no cattle from NI went across last week for direct slaughter in Britain.

Imports from the Republic of Ireland for direct slaughter in NI remain relatively subdued, with 189 head brought in last week. Trade in the opposite direction was 65 head.

Weekly cattle slaughterings in NI remain strong, with 9,965 head processed last week, which is the highest kill for any week in June in recent years.

That included over 2,000 cows, which was the highest weekly cow kill since mid-April.

Across 2025 to date, the total kill is running 2.4% ahead of last year and heading for a new record high.

Cows

Fat cow quotes at the plants are also down this week at 520p and a best of 524p for an O+ cow.

Last week, R3 grading cows averaged 557.3p/kg, with R4 grades at 565p/kg.

The average across all cows slaughtered was 500.6p/kg, down over 9p on the previous week.

NI sheep: English buyers boost lamb trade

Spring lambs in the marts eased a little at the start of the week, but were strong in Ballymena on Wednesday.

The plants are at 690p, making a lamb worth £144.90 at the 21kg deadweight.

In Gortin, trade was steady, with a top price per head of £157 for 22.6kg (694p/kg) and £150.50 for 24kg (625p/kg).

In Kilrea, the trade for 900 head was back a little, making from 663p to 703p/kg, down by 6p on last week.

In Markethill, 700 spring lambs made from 640p to 690p/kg, down by 20p for heavier sorts. The 690p was for 20kg at £138, with 676p for 20.2kg at £136.50. Heavier lambs sold to 652p/kg.

In Saintfield, a show of 880 lambs made from 650p to 728p/kg, down by 15p for heavier lambs.

In Ballymena, cross-channel buyers were present, bidding 745p for 21kg at £156.50 and 741p for 20.5kg at £152. Lambs at 22.5kg made 720p (£162); 23kg made 698p (£160.50); 23.5kg at 670p (£157.50); and 27kg at 678p (£183).

Fat ewes

In Gortin, the top ewe made £188, with others from £142 to £184.

In Markethill, 240 culls sold to a top of £244. The main demand for good ewes was from £170 to £238, with plainer sorts at £100 to £150 each.

In Saintfield, the best made from £224 to £242. Others made from £174 to £218/head. In Markethill, the top was £220.