The cull cow market is inevitably in seasonal decline this autumn, but so far it has not been any more marked than in autumn 2014 despite on-going high slaughter volumes.

According to latest analysis by red meat promotional body EBLEX, so far this year to the end of October, the 03 cow price for the EU as a whole has averaged two per cent more than a year earlier.

However, there have been very different developments by member states with stronger markets in the UK (in euro terms) and Ireland, contrasting with weaker ones on the continent.

Slaughtering data for the EU as a whole in the January to July period were four per cent higher than a year earlier. Later data though for some of the key member states would suggest that slaughtering has remained higher year-on-year.

The impact of the end of milk quotas and poor milk prices on dairy culling has varied and in some key member states there has been no year-on-year increase in total cow slaughtering.

In Ireland there has even been a shortage of cows - in January to October supplies were 11 per cent lower than a year earlier.

No doubt this contributed to the 18 per cent increase in the price of Irish 03 cows over that period, together with higher prices in the UK.

In the UK the 03 cow price in euro terms over the same period has averaged 12 per cent more than a year ago. This increase though was entirely due to currency appreciation, as in sterling the 03 price was only up one per cent. UK cow slaughtering was three per cent more than a year earlier in January to September.

Forecasts from the EU Commission beef forecast meeting last month generally would suggest an ongoing high level of dairy cow culling in the EU as a whole.

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 148 store heifers at Ayr on Thursday to a top of £1315 per head and 275.6p per kg to average £828.34 and 199p (-2.6p on the week), while 259 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1320 and 260.7p to level at £857.49 and 201.6p (-3.8p). Fifty-one store, dairy-bred bullocks sold to £810 and 151p to average £629.61 and 135.7p (+1p).

C&D Auction Marts Ltd had a much larger show of 4756 prime lambs in Longtown on Thursday that sold to a top of £86 per head and 203p per kg to average 144.9p (+1.4p).

The firm also had 4813 cast sheep forward when heavy ewes sold to £140 for Texels and averaged £69.09 (+£6.80), while light ewes peaked at £72 for Hill Cheviots and levelled at £44.97 (+£3.94). Rams sold to £148 for a Suffolk and averaged £75.