Supplies of finished cattle are tightening at pace, forcing factory agents to become more proactive in approaching farmers to secure numbers.

Farmers who originally had cattle booked for slaughter within the next week report that factory agents have been in contact, requesting that animals be brought forward for an early kill.

As the availability of shed-finished cattle rapidly tails off, and little prospect of grass finished animals coming on the market before late summer, processors are growing increasingly concerned about short-term supply.

Price

With the recent dip in the trade now bottomed out, it leaves farmers in a strong position to negotiate on price.

Quotes for prime cattle start on 390p/kg for U-3 grading animals with higher prices on offer for regular finishers, or those offloading bigger numbers.

The market is particularly robust for cull cows as processors look to meet increased demand for manufacturing beef due to improved weather, the start of Euro 2021, and general relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions across the UK. Deals start around the 320p/kg mark, with much more available for good quality suckler types.

Sheep

However, while the cattle trade looks to be hardening, prices for new season lambs are trending in the opposite direction.

Processors are intent on driving prices down with quotes slipping 20p to 600p/kg mid-week. However, deals of 620p to 630p/kg have still been reported.

Prices in local marts have eased by as much as £10 per head this week as factory agents work to a strict price limit around the £130 mark.

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