The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Prime cattle prices show encouraging growth
BEEF: Significant growth in heifer availability
Prime cattle prices are attracting a premium of around 3% on the year and continuing the price rise first seen in March.
Quality Meat Scotland economist Stuart Ashworth said the hike was initiated when the weekly throughput of prime stock fell below year-earlier levels.
“The indications from price-reporting abattoirs are that GB prime stock numbers returned to year-on-year growth through April, although this was much less marked in Scotland,” he said.
“A closer look at the breakdown of the prime stock kill shows significant growth in heifer availability while steer numbers have been little changed and young bull numbers are significantly lower.”
Meanwhile cull cow slaughtering also fell below year-earlier levels in March but by April the indications were that numbers had moved ahead of yearearlier levels.
Mr Ashworth said: “Overall, during March the overall average for carcase weights was little changed on the year.
“However, looking behind the total figures reveals a trend for lower carcase weights among steers, a small increase in heifer carcase weights and a more substantial increase in young bull weights.
“Cull stock also saw a slight fall in carcase weights during March.”
He added there was little likelihood of increased slaughter stock numbers in the medium term because BCMS data showed a fall in the number of 12 to 18-month-old cattle on Great Britain holdings at the turn of the year.
“In Ireland there is also a tightening of stock availability, resulting in producer prices firming and standing 4% higher than a year ago .
“The trend is also seen across Europe, with the average prime animal trading 2-3% higher than last year.”