Dumfries sale saw organic store steers going for 282.4 p/kg – well above the average steer price of 2.1103 p/kg for non-organic. Organic heifers went for 242.3p/kg, with average gross prices up £221.42 compared to spring 2016.

Thainstone’s sale saw strong demand for organic too. Organic steers averaged between 314.3p and 348.5p/kg, an increase of 72.3p on last year, whilst organic heifers averaged between 288.8p and 324p/kg, an increase of 66p on last year. Beef finishers are currently getting around £4.80/kg for cattle from abattoirs.

Harry Begg, head of sales at Dumfries mart said: “Organic cattle are in strong demand, with most heading to Aberdeenshire, Wigtownshire and the Borders. We sold yearling calves 10-12 months, mainly Charolais cross suckler bred. Along with younger six-month-old dairy crossed with Simmental calves. We sold around 80 at a recent sale which is down significantly from around 350 cattle eight years ago. It is clear that there is strong demand for the cattle and premium offered for the beef.”

Joanna Sinclair, membership support officer at SOPA, said: “SOPA has been predicting a boom for organic cattle for several months. We know by speaking to our members and our trade contacts that there are not enough organically certified cattle in the supply chain and the growing consumer demand looks like this boom will continue indefinitely.”

“This is good news for converting beef farmers who will be producing organic cattle to meet future demand. Certified organic farmers who are in the midst of spring calving are also feeling confident there is a likely future demand in the organic supply chain for their organic cattle.”