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Mixed movements in GB prime cattle markets
Wednesday, 10 February 2021
By Felicity Rusk
In the week ending 6 February, the GB all prime average dropped back marginally for the second week in a row. The measure averaged at 376.8p/kg, 0.2p/kg less than in the previous week. Nevertheless, prices remain well above both the previous year (+43.5p) and the five-year average (+33.7p).
However, movements between different categories of cattle were more variable, with the overall heifer price recording the largest decline. This indicates stronger demand for cattle meeting certain carcase specifications.
GB cattle prices by category for the week ending 6 February, with week-on-week changes
- Steers (overall): 378.0p/kg , ↓0.1p
- Steers (R4L): 387.2p/kg, ↑0.1p
- Heifers (overall): 376.7p/kg, ↓1.0p
- Young bulls (overall): 357.5p/kg, ↑1.6p
Estimated slaughter picked up on the week, totalling 35,500 head. This is 600 head (1.8%) more than in the previous week, and 2,200 head (6.7%) higher than in the previous year. However, reports suggest that cattle supplies look tight up until late April, which is line with our expectations.
Prices for cull cows were equally mixed. The overall cull cow price averaged 250.4p/kg, 0.4p less than in the previous week. However, prices actually strengthened for cows meeting the O4L specification, which averaged 265.5p/kg, up 1.3p on the week.
Estimated throughputs were also up on the week, totalling 11,700 head, up 400 head (3.5%) on the week.
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