Cattle
Prime cattle have slipped slightly over the last week to 630–640p/kg, with the trade under pressure. Further reductions are more likely than rises at this stage, which is frustrating for members, and some abattoirs have already completed their orders for Christmas.
Cull cows are coming under significant pressure. Demand is extremely disappointing, and large numbers are coming forward, as is normal at this time of year. Waiting lists are short, with most cows taking around a fortnight to move. Cull cows are 520–530p/kg, with a further reduction of 5–10p likely next week. If you have the option to hold on to cows and feed them, it may well pay to do so.
Store cattle prices have eased slightly as confidence softens. Younger cattle remain a strong trade, with confidence in the long term still high.
Sheep
Exports are coming under pressure, with the pound strengthening against the euro to its highest levels in over a year. This is great for anyone planning a holiday abroad, but not so good for lamb exporters. As you would expect, fuel prices are also impacting every cog in the supply chain with virtually everything transported by road. Lambs base prices in the last week achieved 700–710p/kg with plenty of lambs coming forward. The trade looks sharper for next week, which is encouraging. Quality remains generally very good. Thankyou.
Members lamb weights during October were up 0.71kg on the year, an increase of 3.6%. That is significant, and if it has been reflected nationally, it will help make up for the sharp fall in the UK national lamb kill.
Southern hemisphere lamb supplies are forecast to remain tight. Meat & Livestock Australia expects Australian lamb production to fall 4.7% this year, while Beef + Lamb New Zealand forecasts a 3.3% fall in New Zealand.
Organic
Organic lamb demand hasfirmed as supply tightens. As is typical for November, organic lamb quality andweights have eased. With demand looking positive through to Christmas, pleasekeep the quality up when drawing lambs. Base prices for organic lambs are 740–750p/kg,depending on quality. Organic cattle reached 740p/kg over the last week, anddemand remains positive.
We also have buyers from thesouth of the border and Aberdeenshire looking for organic store lambs, soplease contact your local fieldsman if you have any to sell.
As ever, please contact yourlocal fieldsman if you have prime, cull, store or breeding livestock ready tomove.
For Sale
38 Angus & Sim Suckled calves. 8 months. Alex
12 Stabiliser suckled bullock calves Helen
35 Texel x ewe lambs Polly
20 Suffolk x ewe lambs
100 SC Cheviot x draft ewes Jonny
Wanted
100 store lambs 35kg av Alex
20 organic store cattle David
300 Organic store lambs David
100 Blackface ewe lambs Polly
Angus store cattle Nikki
Wedder store lambs (Blackies or Cheviots) ALL
Native bred store cattle Alex
Angus x dairy weanlings off milk Jonny/Helen
