Despite the huge uncertainties facing the industry, store cattle and the first of the suckled calf sales have held up well, with overall averages on a par, or back marginally on the year.

At United Auctions' first suckled calf sale at Stirling on Monday, bullock averages were down 6.8p per kg on the year, while heifer averages slipped less than half a pence.

"Most vendors were extremely happy at how the sale went," said United Auctions director and auctioneer, John Roberts.

"Calves were on average 22kg lighter as a result of the summer drought, but there was still a strong demand for the calves and a ring full of buyers looking to produce quality beef.

"There is no doubt margins will be tighter this year as a result of the increase in feed costs, but with calf registrations down on the year and the fat trade remaining firm, calf prices should be a lot better than anticipated.

"Producers have been able to get an extra cut of silage over the past six weeks and there is more straw about than expected," added Mr Roberts.

However, while prime cattle values have been heading north in recent weeks, latest figures show deadweight prices were relatively unchanged on the previous week, with the GB all prime average averaging 369.44p for the week ending September 22. This price is now 3.36p per kg ahead of last year's values and 5.55p above the five-year average.

Overall steer prices rose slightly, by just over half a penny to average 370.9p, with the R4L steer price rising by 1.1p to stand at 385.2p/kg. Meanwhile, heifer values showed no change on the week to average 371.2p/kg.

In Scotland, Steer values in Scotland slipped 2.1p per kg to 386.6p per deadweight kg, while heifers fell 1.4p to 388.1p.

Young bull and cows prices were also down by 9.3p and 1.0p to 364.1p and 273.4p, respectively.

Estimated GB prime cattle slaughter was down 200 head (-0.7%) compared to the previous week and 400 head less (-1.3%) than the same week of 2017.

Prime cattle slaughter for the week totalled 32,000 head, with 40% of the estimated slaughterings derived from heifers; steers and young bulls making up 52% and 8% of the kill respectively. Heifer slaughterings have been particularly high this year and GB estimated slaughterings for heifers are now 15,200 head higher (+3%) than in 2017.

GB cow prices eased slightly on the week, down 0.7p to average 239.5p/kg. Estimated cow slaughterings rose significantly in the week, up 700 head on the previous week and 2000 head higher than the same week last year to total 12,600 head.