Record beef trade sees early calves return to £3/kg

Those predicting a strong autumn suckled calf trade after a big increase in finished cattle prices look on the money so far.

Record prime beef prices have seen calves sell for £100 more than a year ago at centres in the West Country.

In Scotland, Stirling United Auctions sold 1,673 autumn- and spring-born calves for very strong averages on Monday (14 October).

Liveweight bullocks averaged 351p/kg, while heifers average 329p/kg.

See also: Strong exports help lift farmgate beef prices above £5/kg

Easing feed costs is another factor helping trade, although straw at £90/t delivered across much of the country remains a concern.

In Devon, Cutcombe’s second suckled calf sale saw suckled calf steers make 308p/kg, up 36p/kg on the year, while heifers levelled at 286p/kg, up 38p/kg on the year.

However, cattle weighed in 15kg heavier this year, according to Peter Huntley of Exmoor Farmers Livestock Auctions.

He said autumn-born calves close to 500kg were in strong demand, but so were the 300-330kg spring-born calves, with buyers for every type.

“With the fat price where it is, buyers expected to pay a bit more,” said Mr Huntley.

“A lot of animals were £80 or more dearer than last year.”

Lodge and Thomas auctioneer Patrick Dennis said Truro’s second calf sale had seen averages up £50 on the year for a lot of the entries, with the best-grading calves dearer still.

Mr Dennis said the best 10-month-old Charolais steer topped at £1,390, with plenty of spring-born Continental calves grossing £900-£1,000 last week (9 October).

“Numbers remain tight and have been over the past five or six years in this area,” said Mr Dennis.

“Several customers have exited sucklers, either because of retirement or lack of profitability.”

Traders say confidence has been driven by butchers regularly paying £3.50/kg or more for fleshy liveweight beasts and two months of factory base price quotes at £5/kg or more.

Butchers paid northwards of 390p/kg five times at Darlington Farmers Auction Mart last week (10 October).

A further 21 heifers passed 370p/kg as trade went up another gear to “unbelievable” levels.