Cattle
The cattle trade feels like it has got out of the rut, with processors all on the phone trying their best not to seem like they are hunting for beasts!! That said, numbers are finely balanced particularly for continental bred cattle and there are reportedly significant stocks of chilled/frozen beef available on the wholesale market. In the last week cattle are in the region of 630-640p/kg base. Angus cattle are attracting a premium of 10-20p. More cattle wanted, with waiting lists down toa week. This week last year, base prices were 475-485p/kg.
Cull cows
Numbers are remaining seasonally tight which is to be expected for the time of the year. It is said that the best months of the year to sell cattle begin with a “J”. We usually see a drop off in cow demand once the schools go on holiday… leaving only the hospitals and prisons to be fed… If you have cows ready and they are fit, please consider marketing them soon if you want to maximise values.
Lambs
Prime lambs are now ahead of the very volatile trade we saw last Spring by some 50p/kg. Lambs in the last 7 days have traded between 725-750p/kg. Lambs are percenting very well and the quality is generally very good. The lamb kill at a national level is reported to be down with our contacts in the English Midlands complaining about the impact of the hot weather on lamb finish. Coming up on the 14th July is The French national holiday - Bastille Day, a week when exporters traditionally have had weaker demand.
Looking at price reporting of lamb in NZ and Australia, prices remain above average due to tighter numbers out of NZ. Please see a link to an interesting article on the Australian Sheep Market.
revised_march-2025_mla-australian-sheep-industry-projections_130325.pdf
Store lambs are starting to make an appearance with prices similar to those seen last year. First batches moving next week.
Cull ewes
Cull ewes remain a good trade up to460p/kg in the last week. We have a good weekly outlet for small-medium ewes, with members pleased with their returns.
Organic
Organic cattle remain in a similar vein to previous weeks with supply and demand evenly balanced. Trade 745-760p.
Organic lambs remain keenly sort after with numbers slow as can be the case at this time of the year. Trade 770-800p depending on dressing spec and locality.
For Sale
110 NEMSA Mule Gimmers (England) Nikki
NG 40 Tex x Chev Mule Gimmers (Scot) Jonny
Store lambs (Scot) Lucy
Chev Mules Gimmers (Scot) Mandy
Wanted
Strong store cattle wanted (Eng & Scot) Nikki
Cows and calves (Scot) Alex
Angus store cattle wanted asap (Eng & Scot) Jonny, Alex Nikki
Flock of Blackface ewes Helen
