Cull cow price rises to narrow gap with prime cattle values

A tight beef market is driving cull cow prices closer to prime finished cattle values.

The gap is currently at about 80p/kg deadweight, compared with about 140p/kg this time last year.

This is despite a 10% year-on-year rise in cow slaughter numbers in March, to 56,100 head.

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Cull prices rose 2p/kg for the week ending 16 April to average 353.7p/kg deadweight. This marks a rise of 77p/kg on year-earlier levels.

Prime cattle prices have also been increasing, with a deadweight average of 436.7p/kg for heifers in the week to 16 April.

Live markets in the week to Tuesday 19 April saw cull cows average 173.57p/kg, up 32p/kg on year-earlier levels.

Price drivers

Demand for cheaper cuts and mince is likely to be behind the rise in cull values, suggested Neil Adams, managing director at consultant Promar International.

“We have seen the deadweight price of cull cows increase at a faster rate than prime beef. However, there may not be much more of a move – expect it to stay in step,” said Mr Adams.

“Demand is good, especially as we move into the barbecue season. Generally, people want British, but there is no cheap meat on the Continent to depress domestic prices.

“There is strong demand right across Europe – Irish cull cows are at 4/kg, which is broadly equivalent to UK prices, taking into account transportation.”

Jonny Williams, joint operations director of livestock marketing group Farmstock, said: “There is really strong demand from UK retailers for cheap beef, and really strong demand from Europe for visual lean [VL] classification beef.”

Mr Williams said processors were short-staffed last autumn and were not able to chill down as much supply as usual, which would normally come into the market at this time of year when cattle numbers are tighter.

Outlook

Prices are expected to remain relatively supported in the short to medium term, according to Mr Williams, with cow prices normally peaking in June.

Ian Powell, managing director at The Dairy Group, said the higher cull cow prices are not enough to offset rising on-farm costs.

“At a normal culling rate of 25% with 5% deaths [no value] and 20% sold, the increased value equates to 0.5p/litre, whereas our forecast increase in cost of production to March 2023 is 6p/litre. But any increase in income is important, particularly as the Basic Payment Scheme declines,” Mr Powell said.

Global markets

Industry reports suggest low stocks and an increased demand for VL beef, particularly in the US, are driving global beef prices.

Rebecca Wright, AHDB senior analyst, said: “This demand for and shortage of VL beef is helping underpin global prices and, in turn, global cattle prices.”