Outlook 2020: Tight margins may force change to beef systems

The cost of keeping cattle through to spring 2020 is likely to be lower than last year thanks to bumper forage yields, less concentrate feeding and lower cereal and straw prices in 2019, says Andersons’ consultant Charlotte Dun.

However, these gains will inevitably be eroded by lower farmgate cattle prices, which have been on a downward trend since autumn 2018.

“Industry reports suggest wholesale beef prices around the world have weakened. Global farmgate prices are generally under pressure, although sharp currency movements complicate the picture,” says Miss Dun.

See also: Top 10 most common cross compliance breaches and how to avoid them 

Despite a slight rally in April and May 2019, the GB R4L steer price has fallen 48p/kg since mid-September 2018, the biggest drop for four years.

“It is not uncommon for prices to drop in the early part of the year, due to weaker demand for valuable cuts at this time, however it is uncommon for prices to fall as far and for as long,” she says.

Consumer demand has been struggling, not helped by unsettled summer weather hitting BBQ sales and ongoing media scrutiny about eating red meat.

Research suggests cheaper cuts are accounting for more sales, while food service sector consumption has declined. 

Some forecasts predict a 20% fall in red meat consumption over the next decade, so action must be taken to protect the sector.

International trade

Lower prices have benefited domestic beef exports, although the increase is mainly for cheaper frozen boneless cuts, rather than fresh cuts.

This suggests exports are partly clearing the market rather than a response to strong overseas demand for UK beef, Miss Dun says.

“UK imports on the other hand have declined, deterred by lower prices.”

She suggests the predicted increase in Chinese protein demand will help underpin the global market in coming months and years, while higher red meat demand – due to African swine fever in Asia – could provide significant opportunities for British red meat producers.

Suckler herds struggle

More immediately, it is increasingly difficult for farmers to produce positive returns on suckler herds.

Gross margins struggle to cover rising overheads, particularly labour and machinery, so Miss Dun urges producers to re-evaluate their systems and marketing.

AHDB figures show the top 25% of suckler herds make a net economic profit of 14p/kg on each finished calf and 27p/kg per store calf sold.

Compared with the bottom third, top-third producers buy lighter animals at a lower price per kilogramme, have higher growth rates over a longer feeding period and sell animals at a higher weight and higher price per head.

Most top performers also have lower paid labour costs and operate extensive grazing systems, which reduce housing costs.

Bedding costs, for example, are four times higher among the bottom third performers.

“Suckler herd producers must re-evaluate their systems, maximising the use of grazing, while feeding to produce high quality carcases,” says Miss Dun.

Identifying a target market and building customer relationships is key to successful cattle finishing, she adds.

“To optimise financial returns, beef farmers must produce cattle that meet customer needs, while presenting clean, healthy animals and hitting the right specification for conformation, fat class and weight,” she says.