Cattle
Prime cattle prices remain very similar in value to previous weeks with base prices in the region of 640-655p/kg, 120p/kg better than this week last year. Christmas kills are yet to begin but processors are trying to maintain full inventories as we head into the back end. We have strong demand for all classes of prime cattle and young bulls.
With retailers moving into the last quarter, beef should revert to slightly cheaper prices on the shelves… will this help boost flagging summer sales?
Cull cows are coming forward in larger numbers as is normal for the end of September. We have outlets for the best fleshy cows as well as those plainer “blues & steakers.” Most cows moving within10 days though some outlets have waiting lists of up to 3 weeks. Best cows to 565p/kg.
With Autumn setting in we are now moving significant numbers of store cattle with finishers in the East of Scotland awash with feeding barley. We have a number of members finishers looking for good batches of store cattle including Angus, Suckled calves and dairy bred stores.
Sheep
Prime lambs in the last week have increasing a fraction which is most unusual for the end of September. Base prices in the last week 645-665p/kg. The outlook remains pretty positive, though it is clear that some store finishers are holding onto August bought store lambs until the trade lifts. Prime lambs this week last year were 600-620p with waiting lists of 2 weeks.
Grading lambs on farm, finished sheep in a lot of cases are seeing the benefit of dry feed or forage crops in terms of extra finish and a higher kill out %. We expect light lamb demand to start to increase over the next month.
Large numbers of store lambs are coming forward. We have some excellent batches of cheviots, mules, blackies and easycare's available. Limited numbers of breeding stock still available.
Please ensure lambs are shut in overnight or at least 8hours to empty before uplift to maximise hygiene levels in transport and in the abattoir. Thankyou to everyone who does this, your professionalism is appreciated and respected. Some abattoirs are starting clipping lambs as of the13th October. Please speak to your fieldsman to discuss this.
Organics
The supply of organic cattle remains finely balanced though we are hearing positive noises about stronger demand in the run up to Christmas. Please speak to your fieldsman to discuss the options available. Organic lamb supply remains very high for the time of the year. Small premiums available. Excellent batches of organic store lambs available.
For sale
8 Autumn calving in calf Luing Cows Nikki
100 Blackie Store Lambs Mandy
Organic store tup lambs Lucy, Alex, Jonny
Easycare gimmer Nikki
20 NC Cheviot gimmers Mandy
25 Ultimate Easycare ewe lambs Jonny
120 Romney ewes regular ages Nikki
Gimmers and ewe lambs still available All
Organic store cattle Mandy, Nikki
Charmoise Hill Tups-ideal for hoggs Jonny
Big hits of Romney x store lambs Jonny, Mandy, Helen
Wanted
200-300 Suffolk & Texel store lambs Jonny
Luing suckled calves and stores Nikki
Store cattle & suckled calves All
