Weekly cattle & sheep market wrap – 12 February 2026

Deadweight prices cover GB for the week ending 7 February. Liveweight prices cover England and Wales for the week ending 8 February.

Key points

• GB deadweight prime cattle prices fell generally in the latest week. Heifers and steers both averaged 636p/kg, decreases of between 2p and 3p from the previous week
• The lamb trade posted a stronger week, with price and numbers up on the week ahead of Ramadan beginning on 17 Feb. The GB deadweight old season lamb (OSL) SQQ gained 25p to average 704p/kg
• Liveweight markets posted further gains, with the OSL SQQ up 9p to average 346p/kg in the week ending 8 February
• Our latest beef market outlook forecasts that beef production will decrease by 1% to 883,000 tonnes, as numbers remain tight

Cattle

GB deadweight prime cattle prices fell in the week ending 7 February. The average all-prime price reached 635p/kg, a decrease of 3p on the week and an increase of 15p on the year.

The overall steer price averaged 636p/kg, a decrease of 2.8p on the week; this was 161p/kg higher than the 5-year average. The overall heifer price averaged at the same value, but this was a decrease of 2.1p/kg from the week prior.

The average GB deadweight cow price fell by 1p to sit at 511p/kg, being the first week of price decline in 2026, as more cows came forward.

Estimated GB prime cattle slaughter totalled 33,800 head, a decrease of 1,100 head on the previous week. Cull cow estimated slaughterings increased by 100 head on the week to sit at 10,800 head. This was 700 head above the same week a year ago.

The latest beef market outlook estimates that beef production will decrease by 1% in 2026 to 883,000 tonnes as numbers remain tight. 

Sheep

Meanwhile, the GB deadweight old season lamb (OSL) SQQ reversed several weeks of losses, gaining 25p in the week ending 7 February to sit at 704p/kg. However, this was 26p lower than the same week last year.

In the week ending 8 February, the liveweight OSL SQQ (England and Wales) grew by a further 9p to 346p/kg, which was 4p higher than the same week in 2025.

Price gains came despite a sharp uptick in numbers, signalling the strength of the trade. AHDB estimated clean sheep slaughter totalled 216,200 head, an increase of approximately 22,600 head on both the week and year.

Average cull ewe prices increased by £8.30 on the week to sit at £135/head, £1.40 higher on the year.

Market reports suggest that demand has picked up ahead of Ramadan beginning next week, with numbers drawn to the market to fulfil orders.

© Livestock Auctioneers Association Limited 2026. All rights reserved.

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