Starting quotes for fat cattle at Northern Ireland (NI) meat plants are unchanged this week, with most working off a base of 620p for U-3 grading steers and heifers.

Others have held quotes down at 610p/kg.

The actual prices being paid are also little changed from last week, with farmers reporting starting prices in the mid to late 630s, with more going for regular suppliers.

With the trade steadying on the back of very tight numbers of finished cattle, it should bring a halt to a period of nine consecutive weeks when prices have dropped in NI.

Towards the end of April, prices paid for U3 grades averaged over 690p/kg.

Last week, U3 grading steers averaged 637.6p/kg, down 8.6p on the previous week, while U3 heifers were at 632.7p/kg, down 8.7p.

U3 young bulls were back 3.2p to average 627.1p/kg.

Those prices remain about 7p to 10p/kg ahead of the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Despite that small gap, with limited supplies in NI, the number of ROI cattle imported into NI last week for direct slaughter increased by over 50 head to 243, the highest weekly figure since the end of May.

Trade in the opposite direction was 84 head and none went for slaughter in Britain.

The trade there has also steadied after weeks of price falls. Last week’s prices paid were virtually unchanged, with U-3 grading steers averaging 647.8p/kg.

Scotland remained slightly ahead of the average on 651p/kg, although prices paid for U-3 steers in the north of England averaged 652p/kg.

Marts

While over 50p has come off finished beef prices in NI since April, the price of stores in local marts would suggest there is still a lot of confidence in the trade. In Saintfield on Wednesday, bullocks at 560kg made £2,400, with 550kg at £2,380. Heifers sold at £1,880 for 460kg.

Cows

Quotes for fat cows at the plants this week are generally unchanged and range from 514p to 540p for an O+ cow.

Last week, R3 cows averaged 565.3p/kg, up 13.4p, while R4 cows were at 556.1p/kg, up 2.9p on the previous week.

NI sheep: lamb prices coming under pressure

There are more lambs on offer and prices in the marts are back this week.

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

In Kilrea, the trade for 1,100 head was lower, making from 638p to 705p/kg, down by 50p/kg for heavier sorts. The 705p was for 21.5kg at £151.50, with 688p for 25kg at £172.

In Markethill, the trade for 950 lambs was weaker, making from 610p to 653p/kg, down by 40p/kg.

A show of 805 lambs in Saintfield made from 605p to 680p, down by 50p/kg. Texels at 30kg made £176, with 27kg at £172 and 24kg at £145.

In Rathfriland, lambs at 26.7kg made £149, with 24.6kg at £145 and 21.7kg at £134.

Cross-channel buyers in Ballymena helped the trade, as 673p was paid for 22kg at £148, with 663p for 23kg at £152.50 and 662p for 21kg at £139.

Fat ewes

In Kilrea, fat ewes sold to a top of £262.

In Markethill, 350 ewes sold to £232, with the main demand for good ewes from £160 to £232.

In Saintfield, the best made from £230 to £280. Others made from £170 to £228/head.