Trading Update – 16thOctober 2026
Cattle
Prime cattle demand is hotting up, with many major processors actively competing for numbers as the festive procurement period gathers pace. Base prices have edged upwards again, with rumours abound of some processors struggling to secure sufficient cattle to fulfil retail orders. Quotations are in the region of 640p, with Angus cattle reaching 660p/kg. How much further prices will rise remains to be seen, although any additional strength is likely to be contained to the run up to Christmas.
Cull cows remain a good trade, with strongest demand and immediate movement available for cows carrying plenty of flesh. Plainer cows are a little easier to sell, although most are moving within a fortnight. Best cows are reaching 540p/kg base, with plainer cows in the region of 530-535p
We have strong demand for all classes of store cattle, including beef-cross dairy calves, suckled calves,400–500kg stores coming off grass and forward stores. Please get in touch asap if you have cattle to sell.
Sheep
Demand for prime lambsremains steady, with large numbers coming forward, as is typical for this timeof year. Base prices over the past week have ranged from 680–710p/kg, with most lambs trading at 690–700p/kg, still significantly ahead of last year.
We supplied lambs to eight different abattoirs over the past week, allowing us tomatch different types and specifications with suitable outlets. Please let yourfieldsman know in advance if you cannot load on particular days. This helps usplan haulage efficiently and avoid unnecessary delays.
Looking beyond Christmas,the following provisional 2027 dates areworth putting in your diary:
· Ramadan begins: around 8th February.
· Eid al-Fitr: around 9–10 March.
· Easter Sunday: 28th March
· Eid al-Adha: around 16–17 May.
Dates remain subject to moonsightings and may vary between communities.
Demand for breeding stock remains very firm, alongside continued strong interest in store lambs from buyers in England. The impact of bluetongue on flocks in southern England remains a concern, and its effect on future supply and demand will become clearer over the coming months. If you have store lambs coming forward, please get in touch.
Organic
Supply and demand fororganic lambs are finely balanced, with premiums of 20p/kg currently available. There is ashort waiting list for uplift, so please give your fieldsman as much notice aspossible.
Organic cattle continue to attract healthy premiums over the conventional trade. We also have members looking to buy organic store cattle, so please get in touch if you have cattle to sell off grass.
As ever, please contact yourlocal fieldsman if you have prime, cull, store or breeding livestock ready tomove.
For Sale
6 Pedigree Suffolk tups David
38 Suffolk x ewe lambs (will tup) Lucy
Genuine Flock of Easycare ewes in regular ages Jonny
1 Texel Shearling tup Lucy
Whitebred Shorthorn Cows Nikki
Organic Luing suckled calves Alex
Wanted
Approx 120 Lleyn Gimmers Polly
Angus Suckled Calves Polly
50 Blackface ewe lambs Polly
200 Suffolk x mule ewe lambs Helen
Stores, Suffolk, texels etc ALL
Hill draft ewes Helen
Luing/sim Luing bullocks 400kg plus Helen
Angus store cattle Nikki
Wedder store lambs (Blackies or Cheviots) ALL
100 & 100 & 300 suckler bred stores Alex, Polly, Nikki
