LMC: Higher Prices Than Quotes Would Suggest
UK - Average steer and heifer deadweight prices were down 1p/kg with R3 heifer prices down 3.2p/kg at to 364.5p/kg, according to the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland in their weekly bulletin.Quotes from the plants this week for U-3 grade prime cattle were
334-336p/kg with the 8p/kg bonus available for in spec steers
and heifers. However higher prices than quotes would suggest
continue to be available as discussed in the main article of last week’s
bulletin.
Quotes for cows this week ranged from 265-280p/kg for first
quality cows. Similar quotes are expected for Monday. Some of the
plants are reporting a tightening in cattle numbers, particularly for in
spec cattle.

Throughput of prime cattle last week was similar to the
corresponding week last year at 6,774 head. Meanwhile cow
slaughterings last week totalled 1,806 head, back 300 head on the
previous week.
There are reports that penalties on out of spec cattle
are being tightened with some factories reportedly reluctant to take
non FQAS stock.

The average steer price in NI last week was almost unchanged at
332.9p/kg while the average heifer price was up 2p/kg to 337.7p/kg,
2p/kg above the U-3 base quote of 336p/kg. R3 steer and heifer prices
showed a similar trend with R3 steer prices almost unchanged at
341.0p/kg and R3 heifer prices up 2p/kg to 344.8p/kg. The average
young bull price last week increased by 1p/kg to 324.1p/kg.
In GB average steer and heifer prices were back in the region of 1p/kg
to 365.7p/kg and 362.3p/kg respectively. This was generally
representative of trade across the regions with the average price paid
for steers and heifers back slightly in the majority of regions. R3 steer
prices in GB were back by 2.2p/kg to 368.5p/kg while R3 heifer prices
were back 3.2p/kg to 364.5p/kg.
The biggest decline in R3 steer and
heifer prices was recorded in the Midlands where they were back by
4.5p/kg and 5.6p/kg respectively.
Meanwhile in Southern England R3
steer and heifer prices were almost unchanged at 365.1p/kg and
362.2p/kg respectively. The price differential between NI and the
average GB price for R3 grading steers last week was 27.5p/kg. This
ranged from 24.1p/kg in Southern England and widens as you move
northwards to 32.1p/kg in Scotland.
Meanwhile in ROI prices have remained fairly similar to the previous
week in euro terms but an improvement in the value of the euro against
sterling has meant prices have increased in sterling terms. R3 steer
prices increased the equivalent of 4.4p/kg to 339.2p/kg while R3
heifer prices increased by 4.8p/kg to 354.6p/kg. Prices in ROI last
week were above NI prices for the majority of reported grades.
Deadweight Summary
Finished first quality steers sold to an average of 199p/kg this
week with second quality steers selling to 182p/kg. This was a
similar trade to last week. The trade for finished heifers was also
similar to last week with first quality heifers selling to an average of
196p/kg.
First quality beef cows sold to an average of 170p/kg this
week compared to 175p/kg last week with dairy type cows selling to
124p/kg (130p/kg last week). Store bullocks up to 400kg sold to
195p/kg this week compared to 206p/kg last week. A similar trend
can be observed for the majority of categories of store cattle.

TheCattleSite News Desk