The number of prime cattle (bullocks, heifers and young bulls) slaughtered in the UK in January was 5.7 per cent lower than in January 2015. There are now encouraging signs that beef prices are stabilising.
UK clean sheep slaughtering fell by 6 per cent in January compared with a year earlier, while the total of mutton and lamb production fell by 5.4 per cent.
However, UK sheep-meat imports to the UK in December increased sharply on the previous year leaving overall shipments for 2015 above levels seen in 2014.
The volume of sheep-meat imports to the UK in December was, at 8,500 tonnes, 43 per cent more than in the same month in 2014. This is the highest level of shipments since 2005. Volumes coming from New Zealand were up by almost a third at 5,600t, while shipments from Australia more than doubled to 2,000t.
Market round-up
Prices of dairy products were back by an average of 2.8 per cent at this week's Global Dairy Trade auction, making that the fourth consecutive fall. Biggest movers on the day were rennet casein that was back 11.5 per cent, cheddar that fell by 5.6 per cent and whole milk powder that was down 3.7 per cent.
United Auctions sold 413 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 269.5p per kg and an average of 214.7p (-4.4p on the week), while 690 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 279.2p and levelled at 223.7p (-3.2p). Forty-five store B&W bullocks sold to 158.8p and averaged 131.9p (-18.2p).
In the rough ring 112 beef cows averaged 114.3p and 12 dairy cows levelled at 90.2p.
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 25 prime heifers in Dumfries to a top of 214.5p and an average of 186.1p.
There were 74 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 108.1p and dairy cows levelled at 80.2p.
The firm also sold 555 prime hoggs to a top of £97 per head and 194p per kg to average 178.1p (-3.4p).
The 318 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £128 for Texels and average £77.67 (+£4.23), while light ewes peaked at £76.50 for Hill cheviots and levelled at £62.91 (£10.62).
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 565 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £100 and 201.1p to average 177.9p (-4.9p).
The firm also had 237 cast sheep forward that once again met a dearer trade on the week with ewes selling to £133 for Texels and £76.50 for Blackfaces.
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