Markets Slaughter Meat Processing

LMC: Deadweight Steer Averages Up Across Northern Regions

UK - Average prices saw upflift with Scotland and the North of England seeing average values of 406.3p/kg after a 4.8p increase on last week and Northern Ireland averaging steer prices at 370.4 p/kg, according to the Livestock and Meat Commission Northern Ireland.

15 May 2013

2 minute read

Europe

Deadweight Cattle Trade

Base quotes from the plants this week for U-3 grade prime cattle were 370-374p/kg with similar quotes expected for early next week, write market analysts at LMCni.

The quotes for cows are generally 300-310p/kg with one plant continuing to quote 280p/kg. The plants are reporting a slight tightening in supplies as the weeks progress.

Prime cattle slaughterings remained strong in NI last week with 7,326 head passing through the plants. Imports of prime cattle for direct slaughter from ROI totalled 415 head, accounting for six per cent of prime cattle throughput.

Meanwhile the number of cows passing through the plants totalled 1,660 head, back 110 head on the previous week. A total of 335 cattle were exported to GB for direct slaughter last week with 179 cows being exported to ROI for direct slaughter.

Average steer prices in NI last week increased by 1.5p/kg to 370.4p/kg while average heifer prices increased in the region of a penny to 374.8p/kg. Average steer prices in GB increased by 2.3p/kg to 399.1p/kg last week while average heifer prices increased by 1.4p/kg to 395.2p/kg.

All regions of GB recorded increases in the average steer price with the strongest increase recorded in Northern England where it increased by 4.8p/kg to 406.3p/kg. This was the same average price as Scotland.

The average heifer price also increased in all regions with the exception of the Midlands where it was back in the region of a penny to 392.1p/kg. R3 steer and heifer prices in GB last week were up in the region of a penny to 399.0p/kg and 396.7p/kg respectively.

lmcddwt140513

In Northern England

The R3 steer price was up 3.7p/kg to 402.0p/kg while the R3 heifer price in the region was up 3.9p/kg to 395.7p/kg, say LMCni experts.

In NI last week the R3 steer and heifer prices were relatively stable at 378.0p/kg and 381.4p/kg respectively.

The prices paid for cattle in ROI last week were fairly similar to the previous with the majority of reported grades within 1p/kg of the previous week in sterling terms. There are reports of finished cattle availability showing signs of tightening in ROI this week with supplies expected to tighten further in the weeks ahead.

Last Week's Marts

Finished first quality steers sold to an average price of 220p/kg liveweight this week with second quality finished steers selling to an average of 200p/kg. Finished first quality heifers sold to an
average of 220p/kg with a top reported price of 231p/kg.

Well fleshed beef cows sold to a top price of 207p/kg with an average for first quality beef cows of 170p/kg. Dairy bred cows sold from 80-148p/kg depending on quality.

First quality store bullocks in the 400-500kg weight range sold to an average of 217p/kg with second quality selling to 185p/kg. First quality heifers over 450kg sold from 190-212p/kg (av 200p/kg) while second quality sold from 160-188p/kg (av 175p/kg).

140513