Deadweight cattle prices rose heading into March with slaughtering’s estimated to be down 2% on the week and 12% on the year in the week ending 9 March.

As supplies continued to be tight and strong demand for assured beef, the market held strong and all categories of prime cattle were dearer on the week, with the prime average increased 6p to level at 376.9 p/kg ( for a GB R4L steer)

And the outlook for the coming weeks looks good too with the weaker value of Sterling against Euro making EU imports less attractive.

Cow prices have also held well with demand for manufacturing beef still strong. Cow averages were also up by 6p on the week, reaching 269.2 p/kg. The upward trend was mirrored in liveweight markets too with prime cattle prices on the up.

At Selby, steers topped at 238.5 p/kg and averaged at 220 p/kg in the prime market. Prices and averages can be seen in Table one.

In the store markets, prices remained firm too on the back of good finished prices. Ludlow’s store sale on March 8 saw British Blue crosses reaching £1340, for a 650kg steer, a price of 206 p/kg. The same breed but heifers reached 1055 for a 435 beast, equalling a price per kg of 243.

Beef rearing calves for dairy systems are also performing well although Holstein bulls were at their lowest level since April 2011 in February, likely to be due to poor finishing conditions and strong cereal prices.