Official reports from Scotland continue to suggest that the beef market is returning prices significantly ahead of the UK average.

Last week, the average price paid for an R4L steer was 347p/kg. However, a number of Scottish finishers have pointed out that they are working off a base of 330p/kg for a Continental-bred R4L, which is similar to prices on offer in other parts of the UK.

According to sources in the trade, the reason for the discrepancy between base prices and what is reported is mainly due to the Angus premium. With Angus cattle around the 370p/kg mark, this is distorting the overall picture of prices paid, especially given that a third of the kill in many big Scottish abattoirs could be Angus bred.

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