Beef prices in Scotland have risen, with the typical base price above £3.40/kg for an R grade continental steer under 400kg carcase weight.

This reflects a rise of 8p/kg for some abattoirs, as the numbers of cattle tighten.

The official AHDB price fell to £3.42/kg for an R4L steer in Scotland for the week ending 9 May, which is a fall of 1p/kg.

Heifer prices

R4L grade heifers were reported by the AHDB at £3.44/kg, which is up 1p/kg, with same-grade young bulls also up 1p to £3.26/kg. Cows grading O-4L were up 2p/kg to £2.42/kg. The number of store cattle sold through the live ring was over 5,600, which is down nearly 4,000 head on the week.

Thainstone and United Auctions both sold over 1,500 store cattle, averaging £903 and £864/head respectively.

The national average was £847/head, down £18/head on the previous week.

Hoggets and lambs

Finished hoggets in the live ring were trading at £2.15/kg for medium-weight lots, up 10p/kg on the week.

Heavier lots have followed a similar pattern, with prices up 6p/kg to an average of £2.03/kg.

In total, 11,500 hoggets were sold through the prime live ring, down 3,666 head on the previous week.

Over 614 new-season lambs were sold through the live ring in Scotland to an average of £2.55/kg, which is up 23p/kg on the week.

Meanwhile, 3,335 ewes were sold last week, which is almost double the previous week. The average was up £2/head to £75/head.