UK: Weekly cattle and sheep market wrap – 19 December 2024

Prices for week ending 14 December GB deadweight prime cattle prices continued to rise in the week ending 14 December, but not at the rate seen over the previous month. The overall steer and heifer categories each rose by 3p on the week to average 547p/kg and 541p/kg, respectively. This followed average weekly gains of around 6p seen since the end of November. Looking regionally, gains were seen across the board for steers and heifers, but southern and Scottish young bull values lost some ground. Cow prices continued their upward streak, with the overall GB average price at 368p/kg for the week ending 14 December. This put the measure up 74p on the same week a year ago, and up 43p against the same week in 2022. Estimated slaughter of prime cattle in GB fell back slightly (-200 head) to 34,200 head. Despite being back on the week, this was 1,100 head more cattle versus the same week a year ago. Meanwhile, estimated cow slaughter grew slightly (+100 head) to 12,200 head, 400 head ...