Liveweight and deadweight cattle prices are rising according to the latest report from the AHDB as the Christmas procurement period is in full swing.

The report, published on Friday (November 23), reckoned prices were up across the board to the week ending 17 November with live weight cows up the most at 110.5, a rise of 5.6 p/kg. Steers were next, rising 5p/kg to reach 195.6 p/kg with heifers standing at 199 p/kg, up 1.5 p/kg on the week. Young bulls rose 2 p/kg to stand at 183.6 p/kg.

Deadweight, R4L steers rose the most peaking at 362.2 p/kg, up 4.9 p/kg. R4L heifers rose 3.8 p/kg to stand at 359 p/kg. Strong growth was seen throughout the live and dead markets on the week with steers breaking through the 360p/kg bracket, an all-time record according to the report. Cow values also rose due to increasing demand.

As domestic production continued to decline, export values fell in September, back 9% on the year equalling 10,900 tonnes. Chilled carcasses shipped to the Netherlands were down 41% as cheaper imports were sourced from Poland. To date, beef and veal exports were down 22% on the year.  Imports were also down on the year, by 12%, as supplies in Ireland continued to tighten.

In the sheep sector, fewer lambs were forward in the week ending November 21 although prices continued to decline. Uncertainty in the export market as well as the questionable quality of lambs (mainly down to heavier lambs being on the market) continue to suppress prices. In the last three weeks, 24% of lambs fell in the heavy and other weight band, up 4% on the year.  While supplies have tightened significantly, potentially due to poor weather, trade stabilised with a marginal rise in finished lamb prices to Wednesday (November 21).

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