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As beef prices continue to ease at processing plants, the live cattle trade remains strong and a differential of approximately 15p/kg now exists on finished animals sold through the sale ring.
Specialist finishers remain extremely competitive for slaughter-fit and short keep cattle with U grading continental types, as well as Angus bred animals, in high demand.
Over the past week, mart managers report sale averages for U grading animals are holding around 220p/kg. Assuming a high kill-out of 58%, this converts to a beef price of 380p/kg.
On plainer cattle, mart and factory prices are much more closely aligned, with R-grading types around 210p/kg
In the factories, farmers report that it is getting increasingly difficult to get much into the 360s this week.
At the outlined differential, a 700kg continental steer is worth an additional £80/head when sold live.
Mart managers also indicate that demand is strong for forward cattle moving to feedlots in Scotland, where beef prices remain around 390p to 395p/kg for R4L grading animals.
On plainer cattle, mart and factory prices are much more closely aligned, with R-grading types around 210p/kg, which converts to finished prices in the low 360p/kg price range.
Friesian types are making 150p to 170p/kg for well fleshed animals.
Cows
Demand remains good for cull cows, with prices of 170p to 190p/kg for top quality continental types in slaughter-fit condition. Feeding cows are making 20p/kg less for good quality, with fleshed Friesians making 120p to 130p/kg at the top end of the market.
Throughput
Marts have seen a spike in numbers in the last fortnight, but online bidding has increased the number of buyers looking for stock.
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