Beef
Calving Intervals and Small Herds
Calving intervals are one of many key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be used in any suckler herd to assess how a herd is performing. Some consideration is needed when applying these to small herds. Calving intervals now have implications for support payments for all herd sizes. This short guide explains what a calving interval…
Business and Policy June 2025 – Beef
Young bull numbers impacting on prices Deadweight steers in Scotland averaged 715p/kg in mid-May, up by £2.20p/kg compared with the same week last year. However, as predicted, slaughter availability has seen an uplift in May which has contributed to processors dropping prices. For two consecutive weeks, finished beef prices have dropped back by over 10p/kg/dwt….
Business and Policy May 2025 – Beef
Prices top £7 per kilo An unprecedented beef trade continues, with finished prices surpassing £7/kg, for the first time, as demand for beef continues to be outstripped by supply. At the start of April finished deadweight beef prices were sitting at 705p/kg, compared with 516p/kg in November, a reflection of the demand for beef. Finished…
Agribusiness News April 2025 – Beef
Up and Up Beef price increases continue with finished cattle prices on the brink of £7/kg/deadweight or close to £3,000 liveweight, with prices expected to surge past £7/kg/dwt at the start of April. Reports are suggesting finished prices could reach £8/kg by the end of this spring. With weekly price increases, beef prices throughout March…
Agribusiness News March 2025 – Beef
Beef prices rocket Finished beef prices have again risen throughout February. Only a few months ago, prices were breaking records at £5/kg/dwt, however, prices have since rocketed above £6/kg/dwt. Prices are now up by more than 25% on the year and over 50% higher than the five-year average, sitting around 645-650p/kg/dwt, with Aberdeen Angus cattle…
Agribusiness News February 2025 – Beef
Short Supply & Record Prices Continue Currently finished beef prices are at record levels. Never have finishers seen prices at these levels in January. Prices at abattoirs and in the live ring have rocketed, with consumer demand and tightening cattle supplies leading to a growing shortage of all types of cattle. Deadweight prices post-Christmas were…
Agribusiness News January 2025 – Beef
2024 market recap Beef prices started the year strongly, above £5/kg, 8-9% above 2023 levels and 26-27% above the five-year average. Data from QMS showed that to find a time when prices were lower than a year earlier, you had to look back to May 2020. Finished beef prices began 2024 approx. 45% higher than…
Agribusiness News December 2024 – Inputs: Calving Intervals
Herd Fertility Suckler cows are the key input in every suckler cow enterprise so managing and improving the fertility of your suckler herd is one of the keyways to improve cow efficiency and herd profitability. Achieving optimum performance from suckler herds is crucial. The aim for suckler herds is for each cow to rear (at…
Agribusiness News December 2024 – Beef
Record Beef Prices With under four weeks to go until Christmas Day, processors are battling to secure beef to meet demands for Christmas retailer orders. As a result, beef cattle prices in Scotland are continuing at record levels, with the demand for beef ahead of the festive period continuing to outstrip supply, contributing to price…
Body Condition Scoring Suckler Cows
What are the benefits of body condition scoring? Ensuring that cows are at the right body condition means: Efficient use of feed and supplemental feed is not given to cows that don’t need it. Reduced risk of calving difficulties associated with very lean or over-weight cows. Better calf vigour at birth and improved growth until weaning. Improved fertility, making it easier to get the cow pregnant again. How to body condition score Cows can sometimes look fatter or leaner than they really are. Using your hands rather than your eye to condition score is the best way to…