Prices for live beef cattle have never been higher, with a number of marts reporting record averages at sales over the last week.

Competition between specialist finishers is intense around the ring, driven by a shortage of factory-fit stock, as processors try to keep up with strong retail demand.

There are also reports that some cattle are being bought for further feeding and slaughter in Scotland.

While all classes of cattle are benefitting from the uplift in beef prices, heavy stores and slaughter-fit cattle in particular have seen unprecedented demand.

Since marts re-opened in late April, prices for fat cattle and forward stores have increased by as much as 40p/kg compared with those on offer before the lockdown in March.

Throughout June, prime U-grading steers and heifers weighing in excess of 700kg liveweight regularly returned a live price around the 220p/kg mark.

Averages

However, during the past week, sale averages for these types have moved closer to the 230p/kg mark.

That makes a 750kg bullock worth £1,725. Assuming a high kill-out of 58%, the animal will produce a 435kg carcase which at the outlined sale value equates to a beef price of 396p/kg.

In the local factories, buyers are trying to hold the top of the trade in the low to mid 370s, so farmers with suitable cattle who can sell through the mart will potentially get higher prices.

In Ballymena, mart manager Sam McNabney said that last week’s sale of beef cattle was their strongest to date.

“Prices have been extremely sharp lately, but last week we had bullocks topping the market at £1,887 for 780kg, or 242p/kg. Plenty more cattle sold beyond 230p/kg for both bullocks and heifers,” he said.

In Keady, prime cattle also sold to record highs with slaughter-fit and short-keep types making 236p/kg, with heifers topping the sale at 246p/kg for a 670kg animal.

Clogher Mart and Markethill reported similar prices paid at weekend sales where good quality forward lots sold beyond 230p/kg at the upper end of the market.

Prices for cull cows in the marts are also very strong, with continental cows in a slaughter-fit condition moving at prices from 180p to 200p.

Buyers are most active on young cows, with some exceptional lots making 220p/kg at the top end of the market.

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