In-calf cows average more than £3,000 a head in Scotland

A dispersal sale of almost 200 in-calf cows and heifers from the Drumdow Black Baldie herd, averaged more than £3,000 a head at auction on 1 March.

The sale was conducted by United Auctions at Stirling Agricultural Centre, on behalf of renowned Scottish beef farmer Robert Parker.

A truly exceptional trade was reported with in-calf heifers selling to £3,700 a head and second calvers maxing out at £3,800.

See also: Suckler cows in short supply as finished beef markets thrive

The Black Baldie females come from Hereford and Angus crossbreeding and achieved an overall average of £3087.30 based on 197 in-calf cows and heifers.

All the heifers and cows were home-bred, had been outwintered, and were TB4, BVD and Johne’s accredited.

Derek Anderson, livestock auctioneer at United Auctions, said hundreds of people travelled from all over the UK for the sale, with buyers coming from anywhere including Orkney and Wales.

He suggested there was currently a lot of demand for these type of cows, with some suckler herds shifting away from continental breeds and towards longer-lasting, easier-to-manage breeds.

“The beef trade is as strong as it has ever been in my career. There seems to be a worldwide shortage, and the world prices are keeping the UK prices high, with fewer imports,” said Mr Anderson.

The number of commercial suckler cows remain in tight supply across the UK and the shortage has started becoming more prevalent in recent years.

Mr Parker told Farmers Weekly that he had never seen the cattle market so busy and said the trade was outstanding.

“Ringside was packed, there were 25 different buyers for the cows and another four different buyers for the bulls.”

Mr Parker believes the exceptional demand was partly down to the fact the breed were fairly easy calving and easy to work with.

Five stock bulls also went under the hammer with a top price of £4,200 being paid for an Aberdeen Angus.