PRIME cattle values remained stable on the week across Great Britain but were well up on year earlier levels, by around 15p per kg, as industry reports suggest there is a demand for British beef.

The GB bullock average levelled at 361.9p per kg for the week ended April 14, which was a rise of 0.8p on the week for 10.1% more cattle killed, but Scotland welcomed a greater increase of 1.6p per kg on the week to average 374.4p for a throughput of 4023, 22.8% more compared to April 7.

More importantly, this Scottish figure compared to 361p paid during the same period in 2017, with those meeting the desired R4L specification cashing in to average 380.3p.

Heifers, on a whole, also improved on the week as 9281 traded in GB to average 364.1p, a rise of 2.9p for 12.1% more killed, but the Scottish trade witnessed a drop of 1.8p to average 374.8p for 4.6% fewer slaughtered (2221). There were better prices paid for those of a higher specification, however, as those at R4L levelled at 379p, with U-grade carcases up to nearly 386p.

An increased throughput of young bulls didn’t deter the trade as 1418 GB bulls averaged 341.5p, a rise of 2.8p for 46.5% more sold, with Scottish producers welcoming an additional 9.1p on the week as 283 young bulls averaged 354.1p. Again, those in the top specifications commanded a premium as R3 bulls averaged 368.8p.

It is clear to see that the difference between the overall price and the R4L grade, or R3 for young bulls, supports reports that processors are looking for prime cattle meeting more desirable specifications.

The increased trade continued in the auction ring where, in Scotland, for the week ended April 11, bullocks averaged 217.91p which improved from the previous week’s 214.39p and was well up on the 215.48p recorded the previous year. Heifers recorded a slight dip to 213.64p from 213.91p, against 211.75p in 2017.

The demand for well-fleshed, handy-weight cattle was evident at Lawrie and Symington’s Forfar mart which welcomed the best of the trade in the past week when 21 heifers levelled at 242p per kg and eight bullocks averaged 237p. These were topped by Limousins with a heifer from the team at Nethermyres, Auchtermuchty, leading the price per kg at 270p while a bullock from Gask Farm, Letham, topped the gross trade at £1600.

Cull cows, too, witnessed an increase this week of 0.7p to record a GB average 257.8p for the week ended April 14, with those meeting the -O4L specification at 281.1p.

While cow prices may still be high for the time of year, more than 25p above the five year average, the levelling of the price may mean the industry is approaching a ceiling. There are reports that demand for manufacturing beef remains strong, so prices may hold at or around this level over the coming weeks.

Should the weather conditions dry up and warm up over the coming weeks, it may become important to take care that cattle don’t quickly become over fat; there is the potential for fat deposits to appear as feed requirements reduce.