UK cattle prices ease for third week - AHDB
The heatwave and harvest may have impacted slaughter
29 July 2022
1 minute read
Whilst temperatures may have soared in the week ending 23rd July, GB deadweight cattle prices slipped once again, said AHDB trainee analyst Charlotte Forkes-Rees in a recent summary.
Although prices remain 35p/kg (1 GB pence = 1 US cent) above those of this time last year, the average price for prime cattle fell by 0.9p on the previous week to 439.1p/kg. All categories fell, most considerably felt by young bulls, which lost 2.4p to average 432.9p/kg overall, and R4L steers which slipped 2.1p to 450.8p/kg. Overall, heifers eased by 0.3p on the previous week, averaging 439.6p/kg.
The exceptional heat felt at the beginning of the week, and harvest commitments, may have hampered numbers brought forward for slaughter, said Forkes-Rees. An estimated 31,300 head of prime cattle were processed during the week, down 400 head on last week, but up 1,800 head on the number seen for the same week last year.
Cow prices steadied, with overall GB average price just 0.1p back on last week at 359.4p/kg. Cows meeting the -O4L spec fared slightly worse, 2.1p down on last week, but still up 64p on last year, and over 101p up on the 5-year average.
