Beef prices hold firm this week, with abattoirs quoting £3.65-£3.70/kg. Official prices from AHDB are reported as £3.71/kg for R-grade steers, with same-grade heifers a penny more per kilo.

The price difference between what farmers are being quoted and the official recorded price might be due to a growing Angus premium. Stores continue to be a strong trade, with averages of £1,000/head at most marts.

Good continental forward stores are around £1,100/head. There are reports of a shortage in manufacturing beef, resulting in a rise in average price of 5p to £2.91/kg.

Fat cows at the mart were making an average of £1.44/kg for beef breeds and £1.16/kg for dairy breeds. Meanwhile, income from grazing livestock farms in England looks to fall in the 2017-2018 season, according to figures released by Defra. English LFA producers saw their income decrease 8% to £25,000 from £27,000 the previous year. Lowland producers were seen to have stable incomes at £16,000.