In week ended 20 February the deadweight prime cattle trade drifted down marginally for another week.
Estimates suggest that there was a 900 head increase in the number of cattle coming forward, which the market seemed to take well amid reports that the malaise in the retail environment continues. Overall, the all prime price fell by just half a penny on the week to average 328.5p/kg.
The number of steers estimated to have been slaughtered was up 100 head on the week while heifers coming forward increased 600 head. Steer and heifer values for those meeting R4L specification came back just a penny in both cases to 340.7p/kg and 339.6p/kg respectively. The estimated young bull kill for the week was up by 200 head, which the market did react to. While the R3 young bull average was unchanged on the week at 323.5p/kg the overall young bull average lost 5p/kg, much of the gain of the previous week.