Robust sales of manufacturing beef have led to increased demand for cull cows.

While factory prices for cows remain static, the live trade is seeing the increased demand converting into higher prices.

With specialist finishers competing against agents buying for wholesalers, the live trade is now running well ahead of factory prices for younger, continental cows capable of achieving U and R grades.

Mart prices for heavy-fleshed cows are from 170p/kg to 180p/kg at the top end of the market.

However, these higher prices apply to small numbers of continental cows being bought for specialised markets, including in the Republic of Ireland.

However, the main cow trade is also buoyant. Mart managers report prices of 150p/kg to 160p/kg regularly being paid for good-quality beef cows that are no more than five to six years old.

Plainer cows with some level of dairy breeding are making 130p/kg to 140p/kg.

Older cows are making closer to the 130p/kg mark. Friesian cows are selling from 50p/kg to 120p/kg – in general, the more the Holstein breeding, the lower the price.

Price

At the upper end of the trade at a price of 160p/kg, a 750kg cow is worth £1,200 in the live ring.

Farmers report that the best factory price on offer for cull cows is 300p/kg. At a 50% kill-out, a 750kg cow will produce a carcase weight of 375kg, and is worth £1,125 at the top factory quote.

However, average cow price on R3 grading animals has typically been 292p/kg in recent weeks, which would make the same 375kg carcase worth £1,095.

Farmers who are looking to offload additional cull cows this winter to save on fodder should consider their options.

A short intensive feeding period of 30 days, offering cows 5kg/day of concentrates (£200/t) would cost £30/cow, but should improve body condition, and value, considerably before sale.

Increased kill

The cow kill recorded a sharp increase during October. Throughput averaged just over 2,500 head per week in October, up by more than 200 cows per week on September.

The yearly cow kill stood at 81,928 as of 31 October. For the same period in 2016, the cow kill was just over 78,000 head and in 2015, it was little over 70,000 head. Ten years ago, the cow kill was under 50,000 head.