A SHORTAGE of cattle of all classes, and particularly top end 100% beef animals, coupled with the appearance of real grass at long last and warm weather, is not only helping to fuel store and prime values but also beef breeding units.

With prime cattle prices slowly but surely nudging north, latest figures from AHDB show average steer prices in Scotland rose marginally on the week to level at 381.8p per deadweight kg, while heifers met a similar trade despite numbers increasing 2.4% and 4.1%, respectively on the week.

Prices south of the Border are also holding firm, even though steer and heifer numbers rose 7% and 9.5% respectively for the week ending May 19, at 360.5p and 363.3p.

Add to that the continued buoyant demand for store cattle and most of the beef breeding sales have witnessed much improved prices.

"We had an outstanding show of cattle at our beef breeding sale at Stirling on Monday – the best ever. Not only did we see a new record of £7100 but also much improved averages," said Caledonian Marts auctioneer and managing director, John Kyle.

"The best of the heifers with good quality calves at foot were almost £500 up on the year as they averaged £3589, compared to the same cattle last year at £3117.

"The late spring and the shortage of grass, until now, meant that many producers were holding off buying, with the result that Monday's sale was a flyer. Prices were ahead of both buyer and vendor expectations," he said. (See Caledonian Marts sale report below).

Backing up these statements, United Auctions' auctioneer, Donald Brown, also said the lack of grass earlier on, meant that beef breeding cattle outfits sold at the beginning of the month met similar values to last year. However, with numbers tight in all sectors, and positive store and prime values, he pointing out there is now a lot more confidence in the market.

"The fat trade is good and looks set to rise and stores are still a good trade compared to those sold fat, but then numbers are tight everywhere. With the grass here, beef breeding cattle are selling better now with last weekend's sale up to £3000 for heifers with good calves at foot. "Anything with a good calf sells well and often it's the calf that sells the heifer," he said adding that the company has not staged any dispersal sales this year, where producers could pick up breeding cattle, compared to previous years.

There have been next to no dispersals at Aberdeen and Northern Marts' Thainstone Centre either, which in previous years has seen numerous such events. Instead, livestock manager and auctioneer, John Angus said breeding cattle values were "definitely up on the year."

"Our first sale would have been £150 per outfit up on the same sale last year, with good Limousin cross heifers with Limousin cross calves making £2600-£2700 and values have increased since the grass has come.

"Producers have had a very hard, expensive winter up here and there are still cows inside in some areas, but there is more positivity in the job now with store and prime values on the up."

As always, quality pays with the top priced lot to date this year selling at £5000 through ANM.

"The good quality lots are a flying trade – good beefy heifers ready to go to the bull with good strong two to three-month-old Limousin cross bullock or heifer calves are easy sold," he said.