Eblex: Farm-assured livestock sells for more at market

Farm-assured beef cattle fetched 13p/kg more on average last year than non-assured livestock, while farm-assured lambs also made higher returns, says Eblex.

With the exception of cull cows, the price difference between assured and non-assured cattle was the largest since Eblex started analysing the data in 2005, according to it’s latest Farm Assurance Price Analysist Update.

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On average, farm-assured older steers fetched 18.55p/kg more last year, new season lambs 6.5p/kg more and old season lambs 10p/kg more.

“It is well documented that cattle prices have been declining. However, the analysis update demonstrates the benefits of farm assurance, irrespective of what the price might do,” said Liz Ford, regional project manager at Eblex.

“It is well documented that cattle prices have been declining. However, the analysis update demonstrates the benefits of farm assurance, irrespective of what the price might do.”Liz Ford, Eblex

“Farm assured cattle and lambs have historically always tracked above the market average for some supply chains. The data for 2013 again highlights that farm assurance adds value at the farmgate.”

With the price of beef falling over the past few months, some farmers have been questioning the value that farm assurance adds to their farmgate prices.

However, demand for farm assured beef rose over the last year following the horsemeat scandal, with demand particularly high from the food service sector, said Philippa Wiltshire, sector manager at Red Tractor Assurance.