For all those attending Fife Show at Cupar this weekend, please call in and see Alex Norval and Mandy Grierson who are manning the Farm Stock Scotland stand.
Trading Update 22nd May 2026
Cattle
The prime cattle trade has yet to fully bottom out, with prices generally in the region of 570–580p/kg in the last week. These prices are really starting to hurt producer confidence. There are small waiting lists in place despite what feels like relatively modest cattle kills at present. If you have cattle approaching finish, please speak to your local fieldsman about the variety of marketing options available.
Larger numbers of beef-bred bulls are now coming forward, as is typical for the time of year. Across the Irish Sea, Ireland is reporting smaller cattle kills, while the EU is projecting a year-on-year reduction in beef production of 2.6%. Longer term, this points towards a brighter outlook for the beef sector once current supplies tighten. Hopefully warmer weather and fewer people holidaying abroad this summer will also help stimulate domestic beef demand.
Cull cows have eased in line with the conventional cattle trade in the last week. However, cow beef remains in relatively strong demand across a wide range of processors. More cows are wanted every week, with most moving within a fortnight. Cow prices in the last week were generally 510–535p/kg depending on quality and type.
Forward store cattle have certainly eased in recent weeks, which was entirely expected given the sharp correction in the finished trade. Longer-keep stores and beef x dairy calves are holding up particularly well, with producers and integrated supply chains keen to maintain longer-term beef supplies. We currently have especially strong demand for young Angus x stores out of dairy cows, ideally under four months of age.
Excellent native bulling heifers available for those lookingto boost numbers.
Sheep
Wowzers! There are few printable words that accurately describe the current strength of the lamb and hogg trade. That said, the wider sector is expecting a modest easing next week once orders for Eid al-Adha have been completed. These remarkable prices are being driven by tight supply and strong demand.
Spring lambs in the last week have traded around 900–930p/kg, with the first excellent batches now coming forward out of the Borders and Ayrshire. More lambs are wanted from all areas of Scotland and Northumberland. Kill out percentages are excellent!
As is normal for the time of year, hoggs remain extremelymixed in quality, with a few now coming forward showing mature teeth. Hoggs inthe last week generally traded between 870–900p/kg. With numbers drying uprapidly, some firms are expected to switch off hoggs shortly. If you would likefurther advice, please speak to your local fieldsman.
The very best sheep are now being quoted at over 900p/kg for next week. These exceptional prices continue to be driven by extremely strong demand coupled with very poor availability. Members with spring lambs or finished hoggs ready to market are encouraged to get in touch promptly, as demand could ease once Eid orders have been fulfilled.
Organics
We continue to see very strong demand for organic hoggs, withmore required to fulfil current orders. Quality remains mixed, as is normal forthe time of year, with many organic producers understandably more reluctant toreach for expensive dry feeding.
Prices for organic prime cattle remain extremely buoyant,while good batches of organic store cattle continue to become available eachweek.
Members livestock Wanted
Up to 100 Weaned beef x dairy calves off the milk Helen Mandy Jonny
50 Mule Ewe lambs (accredited clear of Enzoticabortion) Office
Grazing cattle ALL
Members livestock Available
Black Baldie bulling heifers Helen
Angus Bulling heifers Jonny, Nikki, Mandy
Limousin Bull Lucy
Simmental Bulls Lucy
Angus Bulls David
Bulling heifers- Johnes 1* Jonny
TB1 Angus x dairy steers Nikki
Organic Store cattle wanted Jonny / Alex / Nikki
Contacts
Jonny Williams ManagingDirector 07817 702 988
Alex Norval Procurement Manager(Prime Stock) 07787 826 355
Nikki Gilbertson Senior Livestock Procurement Officer- Northumberland 07595313 040
Lucy Bell LivestockProcurement Officer -Borders 07879602 962
Mandy Grierson Livestock Procurement Officer– Peebles & Lanarkshire 07831741 994
Polly Cregan Livestock Procurement -Borders 07398 123 010
David Marshall Fieldsman for Farm Stock 07808 329 719
Colin Mair Fieldsman forAyrshire Country Lamb 07976 605130
Ian Douglas Fieldsman for LothianLamb 07885367 151
Helen Marsden Fieldsman for Dumfries and Galloway 07778 799261
Matthew Nicolson Fieldsmanfor Shetland 07795 144 404
Farm Stock Scotland Office 01750723 366
