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Autumn rain dampens cattle prices
Wednesday, 20 October 2021
By Rebecca Wright
Over the past few weeks, prime cattle prices have faced some pressure. In general, supply remains tight with fewer animals on the ground. With feed prices high, some farmers are trying to reduce the winter housing period this year which may impact the availability of finished animals. We are now entering the Christmas buying period for cattle which should mean demand increases.
In the week ending 16 October, the GB all prime average cattle price stood at 407.7p/kg, down -0.8p week-on-week. Despite having dropped 2.5p in the past three weeks, the measure stands 40p above year-earlier levels.
GB deadweight prime cattle price movements (w/e 16 October):
- Steers (overall): 409.6p/kg down -0.1p
- Steers (R4L): 419.8p/kg up 0.4p
- Heifers (overall): 406.4p/kg down -1.5p
- Young bulls (overall): 397.4p/kg down -3.5p
Estimated kill for the week ticked up slightly to 31,000 head. Although increasing, kill numbers remain on the low side.
As we move into the winter period cow prices do typically come under pressure with supplies increasing. With high feed prices, farmers are most likely wanting culls away sooner rather than later. During the most recent week, the GB overall cow price fell 3.5p, to 267.6p/kg. Although without doubt falling, the price does continue to track at a strong level.
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