Trading Update – Friday 25th September 2026
Cattle
With October here next week, everyone is getting fed up with salad! Prime cattle area good trade, with demand very firm at 625–630p/kg and Angus cattle making up to 645p/kg in the last week.
The trade is now similar to this week last year. We anticipate it remaining firm over the next six weeks, with processors already putting away Christmas beef for dry ageing. Demand for steak cuts is excellent, while sales of processing beef have improved with the cooler weather and the return to winter routines.
Cull cows are moving a little more easily now that backlogs in the South of England have cleared. We need more cows every week, especially beef types. Base prices vary with quality and breeding, so please get in touch to discuss any cows you have coming forward.
Store cattle have eased slightly in the last week. Margins remain very tight for finishers despite the recent rise in prime cattle prices.
Sheep
After recent increases, the prime lamb trade has plateaued in the last week, with lambs making 700–730p/kg. This remains well ahead of the same week last year, when prices were around 645–665p/kg.
Defra data shows the June–August lamb kill was around 10% behind last year, although slaughter weights have been higher. Farm Stock lambs sold during August averaged 20.24kg per head, up 0.69kg, or 3.5%, on August last year.
The overwhelming majority of members’ lambs are moving within the week. Supply and demand remain finely balanced, with demand strongest from southern processors.
With fuel costs continuing to rise, we respectfully ask members with smaller batches of lambs, particularly those under 50 head, to meet the wagon where possible. This helps keep transport costs down and drivers hours within legal limits. Please speak to your fieldsman if you have any questions.
Store lambs remain in good demand, with plenty of grass now available in most areas. Breeding sheep continue to move, including Mule gimmers and significant numbersof draft Cheviot and Blackface ewes.
Organics
Prime organic cattle remain in good demand as we approach Christmas, with prices in the region of 740p/kg. Organic store cattle are slightly easier, with large numbers coming forward from the North of Scotland. Organic prime lambs have made 740–750p/kg in the last week, and demand remains positive.
For Sale
15 Galloway and native bullocks forward stores Polly
18 Stabiliser bullocks Nikki
50 & 20 Angus x dairy bullocks Jonny, Nikki
Chevease ewe lambs Mandy
Organic gimmers Mandy
70 SC Cheviot Gimmers, Borders David
100 Draft ewes Cheviots Helen
250 Blackface store lambs Alex
190 Lleyn stores 34.5kg Alex
170 Easycare stores Helen
40 Organic Easycare gimmers Lucy
300 NC Cheviot store wedders Nikki
Wanted
200 Suffolk x mule ewe lambs Helen
200 suckler bred stores Alex
100 suckler bred stores Polly
