SCOTTISH prime cattle producers have responded to market demands for reduced carcase weights, with the latest figures revealing steer slaughter weights falling by some 7-10kg per head.

In the first half of 2016, steers slaughtered in Scottish abattoirs were heavier on 2015, with the figures from June onwards showing a decline of around 2% per head, according to Quality Meat Scotland.

“In April, the average weight was quoted as 398kg per steer, while the preferred weight for major retail outlets was 380kg. In October and November, such carcases averaged 374-375kg,” said Stuart Ashworth, head of economics services at QMS.

Heifer carcase weights have also been falling in the final third of 2016 and with more cattle hitting the desired spec’ reducing the overall production of beef, prime cattle prices have improved as a result, Mr Ashworth added.

The weakening of sterling exchange rates following the Brexit vote also meant that imported beef from Ireland became more expensive and helped to support domestic prices.

It is, however, the extent to which a higher number of prime cattle hitting the optimum market weight spec’ will offset the expected short-term growth in prime stock availability and support prices, that will be key to beef values during the first third of 2017.

“A 2.5% growth in Scottish calf registrations in the first half of 2015, compared to 2014, means a bigger pool of slaughter cattle in the first half of 2017, compared to 2016,” said Mr Ashworth.

As 2016 concluded, the cattle trade continued in a very fine balance. In the week ended December 17, with procurement for the Christmas trade complete, the GB average deadweight price fell 2p on the week to 349.4p/kg.

Estimates suggested that, at 33,200 head, the number of cattle coming forward was little changed on the week. While prices generally eased across the board, the overall fall in price was in a large part driven by pressure on values in Scotland.

This particularly applied to the trade for young bulls in the past week.

However, the Angus market north of the Border is struggling, with booking queues for this type of cattle lengthening well into the New Year.