PRIME beef cattle prices remain finely balanced with increased supplies affecting trade north and south of the Border.
Despite the increased demand for beef and particularly burgers for barbecues as the hot weather and England’s success in the World Cup in Russia, continues, finished steer and heifer prices in England and Wales eased on the week, while Scottish values actually improved. 
Latest figures for the week ending July 7, show steers in Scotland improved 1.0p per deadweight kg to level at 388.6p, for a 7.8% increase in numbers while heifers rose 3.0p to 391.0p for a 2.5% drop in the total kill.
This compares the figures in England and Wales where the steer average slipped 2.3p to 364.2p for a 0.4% slip in numbers with the heifer kill dropping 1.0p to 367.2p with a massive 10.1% increase. 
Overall, the GB prime average fell almost a penny to 369.67p per deadweight kg, which is almost 1.5p higher than year earlier values, and 15p more than the five-year average.
However, with the increase in numbers coming forward as grass and forage supplies dry up, the fear is beef prices could slip further in the coming weeks. 
As it is, total steer numbers increased by 1.5% with heifers rising 6.7% and while the total young bull kill dropped 8% on the week, cull cows rose by 10.4%.
In all, estimated prime slaughterings were 300 head higher on the week at 31,900, with the total cow slaughter up 1200 at 12,200 head.
In contrast, overall averages for young bulls and cull cows slipped nationwide, with Scotland seeing a 3.8p and 7.8p per deadweight decline to 371.6p and 292.6p, respectively, compared to those in England and Wales which fell 3.2p and 5.4p to 351.3p and 254.2p, respectively.
Overall GB cull cow prices at 258.8p have now slipped for a third consecutive week. However, these are still around 6p per kg higher than the same week last year and 15p above the five year average.
More worrying is the fact that industry reports indicate processors are not actively seeking cattle and have been pulling back prices, with scheduled supplies generally enough to meet their needs.