LMC: Plants Now Insisting on Farm Assured Meat
UK - Base quotes from the plants this week for U-3 grade prime cattle have been within the range of 334-338p/kg. In general quotes for steers have been 334-336p/kg with quotes for heifers 336-338p/kg, according the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland.
20 February 2013
2 minute read
Deadweight Cattle Trade
Quotes for first quality cows have ranged from 260-285pkg. Similar quotes are expected next week and deals will probably be made at higher prices.
Several plants are now insisting on Farm Quality Assured Status as a requirement of trade with penalties for non Farm Quality Assured stock ranging from £30-70 across the plants. There
have been an increased number of applications to the NIBL FQAS scheme in recent weeks as a result.
Throughput of prime cattle last week was similar to previous weeks with 7,123 head slaughtered with total prime cattle throughput for the first six weeks of 2013 two per cent ahead of the same period in 2012. Meanwhile the cow throughput last week totalled 1,927 head with total cow throughput for the first six weeks of 2013 running 18 per cent ahead of the corresponding period last year.
The prices paid for prime cattle in NI last week generally increased with the average steer price up by 2.5p/kg to 335.6p/kg while the average heifer price increased by 1.9p/kg to 340.4p/kg. The average steer and heifer prices in GB last week were up by just over a penny to 366.8p/kg and 363.5p/kg respectively.
The R3 steer price in GB last week increased by 1.9p/kg to 370.6p/kg with the reported R3 steer price up in all the GB regions. The R3 heifer price increased by 1.7p/kg to 367.9p/kg. R3 heifer prices across the regions were up in the region of 1.5p/kg to 2.5p/kg with the exception of Southern England where the average price was almost unchanged at 364.3p/kg.
A continuing strong trade for cull cows across the GB regions has meant average prices last week were up in all regions. In Scotland the average cow price increased by 4p/kg to 270.9p/kg while in the Midlands the cow price increased by 8.3p/kg to 262.6p/kg.
Prices in ROI remained fairly steady last week in sterling terms with reported prices within 1p/kg of the previous week’s reported prices. The R3 steer price last week was 345.2p/kg while the R3 heifer price was 360.4p/kg.
This Week's Marts
Finished first quality steers sold to an average of 199p/kg across the marts this week with second quality animals selling to an average of 183p/kg. Finished heifers meanwhile also sold to an average of 199p/kg with second quality animals selling to 180p/kg.
Good quality beef cows sold from 156-221p/kg (av 171p/kg) with poorer quality beef cows selling from 120-155pkg (av 137p/kg). Dairy type cows sold from 90-146p/kg depending on quality.
Good store cattle continue to be a strong trade with first quality bullocks from 400-500kg selling to an average of 207p/kg, up 4p/kg on last week. Plainer type animals in the same weight range sold to an average of 175p/kg, back 8p/kg on last week’s prices.
TheCattleSite News Desk
