18 February 2011

1 minute read

Europe

Plants were generally reporting steady supply this week, although last week throughput was five per cent lower than the previous week. 33 cattle were imported for direct slaughter last week from GB.

Average U3 steer prices last week were 282.6p/kg, 0.6p/kg less than the 283.2p/kg paid the previous week, with reported U3 heifer prices largely unchanged. Average steer and heifer prices were back by around a halfpenny compared to the previous week, while average young bull prices were down by 1.2p/kg.

The majority of plants are continuing to quote 220-230p/kg for cull cows with last week’s average reported cow price 204.5p/kg, up 2.2p/kg from the previous week.

Prices stabilised somewhat in Scotland having come under pressure in recent weeks. Average steer prices were unchanged last week, while heifer prices rose by 1.2p/kg. In Northern England steer prices were up by a penny on the previous week, but heifer (-1.4p/kg) and young bull (-1.6p/kg) prices continued to come under pressure. Further south prices came under more pressure with steer and heifer prices down by 3p/kg on average in the midlands. Prices in ROI remained reasonably steady compared to the previous week, but the weakening value of the euro against sterling has meant the reported prices showed a 2-4p/kg decline in sterling terms.

TheCattleSite News Desk