market prices

The finished cattle trade at GB auction markets remained firm (week ended 13 January). Steers and heifers were slightly dearer at 158.8p/kg and 165.8p/kg respectively. The young bull average was similar to week earlier levels at 147.5p/kg. The liveweight cull cow trade firmed by 3p to average 97.8p/kg.

Deadweight cattle prices stayed similar (w/e 9 January). Steers averaged 281.9p/kg, heifers 279.5p/kg with young bulls levelling at 272.6p/kg. The deadweight cull cow average was 3p dearer at 183.3p/kg.

The gap between the farmgate and retail beef price narrowed slightly between November and December to 50.4%.

Sheep

The average deadweight sheep SQQ fell by 5p to 419p/kg (w/e 9 January). The average SQQ liveweight trade at GB auction markets (w/e 13 January) rose by 4p to 199p/kg. Many auctions were cancelled or postponed due to the snow and throughputs for the week were below normal.

The average producer sheep price rose by 11% between November and December, while the average retail lamb price was relatively unchanged. Producers received 57% of the final lamb price. Farmgate prices for December were 33% higher than in December 2008, while the retail price was 3% higher.

Pigs

The DAPP (w/e 9 January) levelled at 138.29p/kg. The average weight of pigs in the DAPP sample rose to 79.81kg.

The average 30kg spot weaner price climbed marginally to almost £50/head (w/e 16 January) and the sow price rose by almost 1p last week to average 92.83p/kg dw.

The gap between the farmgate and retail pork price widened between November and December to 62.2%. The farmgate price again declined in December, while the retail price increased.

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