Beef winners revive market prices

By FWi staff

DEMAND for fatstock winners has helped lift market prices nationwide, giving a seasonal boost to producers pockets.

Cattle prices headed for the £1/kg barrier for steers as the shows kicked off, and are expected to hold until January.

Mart averages have been heavily influenced by bids topping £3.50/kg for champions, with many reserve-ticketed sorts over £1.50/kg, report auctions.

Overall, cattle are now 6p/kg ahead of values achieved for the same period last year.

“For some, the top bids have gone back to levels seen three years ago – before BSE – which has helped overall trade,” said Durham auctioneer George Potts.

Typical of many, a champion selling for over £2/kg helped the days overall average at Darlington for 328 cattle to £1.10/kg.

Medium and heavy weight bulls also moved forward 5-6p/kg nationally last week according to MLC figures.

But the National Beef Association remains firm in its view that the £1/kg threshold for all beef cattle should be seen as a realistic return in the New Year.