Prime cattle values have slowly but surely been nudging north over the past couple of months and the trend looks set to continue as numbers dry up further, according to those in the know.
Since the middle of March, average steer and heifer values in Scotland have risen anything from 15-20p per deadweight kg, adding an extra £60-£80 to a 400kg carcase, with young bull and cull cow prices also increasing.
Latest Scottish prices for the week ending May 5, show average steer and heifers values of 380.4p and 382.3p, respectively, which is similar to the previous week. However, those hitting the R4L specification were up by 4.7p amongst the steers at 386.8p, with heifers rising 2.3p to 385.1p.
Young bulls and cull cows also improved with the total cashing in at 362.7p and 290.1p, a rise of 3.2p and 1.6p, per deadweight kg respectively.
Prices are on the up south of the Border too with overall averages for steers and heifers rising 1.1p and 1.2p to 359.6p and 361.2p, respectively, with those hitting spec’ cashing in at 374.9p and 376.9p, in England and Wales.
“Cattle numbers have been drying up over the past couple of weeks, and they should become even more scarce as the sheds empty over the next month,” said Tim McDonald, prime cattle auctioneers with Aberdeen and Northern Marts at Thainstone.
“Cattle are scarcer than they have been for a number of years and it’s all down to the weight restrictions at the abattoirs as cattle get to a finished weight earlier. 
“They’ve finished up to four weeks earlier this year compared to last year too, so values should take a fair jump in June and July.”
He added that prime cattle values had risen 5p per deadweight kg over the past month, while cull cow prices sold through the live ring at Thainstone are nearing record averages with beef types balancing out at more than 160p per kg and dairy at 130p.
“Cull cows are worth £150 per head more selling them through the live ring compared to hanging them up. We’re regularly selling cows at £1400 and £1500,” said Mr McDonald.
“It’s all down to the modern way of living. Housewives want a quick ready meal or pie that only takes 10 minutes to cook during the week which all comes from processed meat and often from cull cows, while at the weekend, they like to splash out on a fancy meal.”
Prices and sale averages have also been well up at Caledonian Marts’ prime sale at Stirling, where auctioneer and managing director, John Kyle, said butchers’ cattle are now selling at 245-265p per live kg.
“Cattle numbers are tighter and they’re easily sold with plenty of people to buy them. Prices have been improving every week recently and last week saw bullocks average 220p+ with heifers at 225-228p, which is 9-10p per kg up on the year.
“This time last year there was a waiting list of at least a month to get cattle booked into slaughterhouses, whereas you can pretty much get them in the same week they’re booked in, now,” said Mr Kyle, adding that store cattle values are also well up on the year and are expected to rise further with grass at long last showing through.
Further south at Harrison and Hetherington’s Borderway Mart at Carlisle, beef cattle auctioneer, Grant Anderson, also expects a sharper trade in the next few weeks as numbers ‘dry up’.
“Fat cattle prices have been rising steadily over the past few weeks with the sale at Carlisle on Monday seeing several at £1600-£1700 which is up £100-£250 per head up on the year as most are sold locally to Pioneer wholesalers which are able to use all of the carcase.
“Our store cattle prices are also £50-£100 per head up on the year and we’re selling more of them,” said Mr Anderson pointing out that it’s been the cull cows that have probably been the best trade in recent weeks.
“There has been a really good consistent trade for cows with the best British Blues easily making in excess of £2000 per head to sell to France, Italy and Belgium,” he said.