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GB cattle prices remain supported through September
Thursday, 6 October 2022
GB deadweight cattle prices trended upwards in September. For the 4-weeks ending 1 October the average price for all prime cattle averaged 436.9p/kg, an increase of 3.1p compared to the previous 4-week period. Prices remain at historical highs, sitting 27.1p above the prices recorded this time last year.
The overall price pattern of growth in weeks 2 and 3 was reflected in all prime categories. Young bulls gained the least month on month rising by 1.6p compared to the 4 weeks prior, to average 427.1p/kg. Steers saw the largest increase, up 3.5p over the 4-week period to average 438.7p/kg. Heifers rose 2.0p/kg to average 436.2p/kg.
Estimated GB cattle slaughter remained relatively steady in September with a small uptick in weeks 1 and 2 then easing in week 3. Prime cattle slaughter was estimated at 117,300 head for the 4-week period ending 1 October, up 0.9% (1,100 head) compared to the 4 weeks before but down 0.7% (800 head) on the same time last year. Year to date (1 Jan – 1 Oct) slaughter remains 3.0% behind numbers recoded at this point last year, totalling just over 1.2 million head, 4.5% behind the 5-year average.
Cull cow prices eased in the 4-weeks ending 1 October, following the usual seasonal trend, although holding considerably above previous years’ levels. Prices averaged 344.5p/kg, down 1.8p compared to the previous 4 weeks and 63.1p above where they stood this time last year. Overall price changes were determined by the downward movements in weeks 2 and 3.
Estimated GB cull cow slaughter picked up in September, following seasonal trends, totalling 45,800 head. This is an increase of 18.5% (7,200 head) compared to the previous 4-week period and an increase of 9.3% (3,900 head) compared to the same time last year. Year to date (1 Jan – 1 Oct) cull cow slaughter numbers remain almost in line with those recorded in 2021 at 391,500 head (+0.3%). However, this number is down 4.0% (16,200 head) compared to the 5-year average.
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