Livestock price data

Organic livestock prices

(October 2024)

	£ / kg Data courtesy of OLMC
Beef - Finished (under 30 months)	£5.75 (R4L Base)
Cull Cow (OTM in spec)	£4.20 (R4L)
Beef - Stores	See store cattle report below
Lambs - Finished OSL	£8.70 (R3L)
Lambs - Finished NSL	£6.80 (R3L Base)

N.B. Prices serve as a guide only and are averaged from information collected from key producers and traders.

Market summaries

Courtesy of OLMC. For further information on the marketing of finished stock, please call: 01763 250313 / 07850 366404 www.olmc.co.uk

Please note prices accurate when report was written but due to the volatility currently prices may alter.

Courtesy of Peter Jones (working in conjunction with OLMC). For further information on the marketing of organic store cattle, please contact Peter Jones or Jacqui Barrow: 01829 730580 / 07720 892922 www.peterjoneslivestock.com

OLMC Marketing report

(next report due in November)

Prime Cattle
The organic prime beef trade has strengthened slightly, numbers are by no means plentiful. At this time of the year the organic stock coming forward can be lower, with the supply
increasing as we get into October and November.

Abattoirs report-they are just about finding enough organic prime stock for their needs, also stating that sales are reasonable, but they are not seeing immediate increase in consumer demand.

Average R4L Organic UTM in spec @575 p/kg deadweight

Cull cow
The current trade of firm prices and strong demand for cull cows continues. The processors
are taking what they can as the consumer demand for processing meat continues.
Supplies of cows coming on to the market are often tighter this time of the year which
makes things more competitive.

As we get through this month and the weather changes, we might see greater numbers
come on to the market, which can weaken trade a little.

Average R4L Organic OTM Cow in spec @ 420/kg deadweight

Lamb
Lambs are continuing to be traded at a lower price than the previous highs
although the movement has reduced and is now showing much smaller swings
week on week. The difference between organic and conventional is currently around 40p/kg
deadweight.

The late summer will have an impact on the number of lambs coming forward and may cause disruption to prices. The likely weakening in price for organics is part due to lambs now coming ready in bigger numbers.
A firm trade for store lambs is making a few potential finishers hesitant.

Average R3L organic NSL in spec @ 680p/kg

Store report

After a very wet and consequently late spring, cattle and sheep are starting to thrive off grass. The weather over the winter has taken its toll on the land with some regions having land under water for a lot of the winter. Lambing was difficult with mortality of young lambs being high.

Prices took a slight downward trend three or four weeks ago, but the cattle trade has come alive again with prices rising across the board and this is reflective in the organic sector.

Fat prices are now in front of last year’s levels and seem to be creeping up. The store trade has also bounced back into action with some very forward 500 kg cattle making over £1,400.00 in all parts of the country. The spring born 2023 calf crop which is now generally over 400 kg due to the abundance of grass, are well grown and are making very good prices.

The store lamb sales are just starting in most regions and there are some major breeding sheep sales on the horizon. Despite the fat lambs trade coming back over the last couple of weeks I’m confident the store lamb trade will be stronger than last year. The decline in ewe numbers and a difficult lambing due to the terrible weather conditions all point to lower numbers available. The post-Christmas hog trade is always hard to predict but with the predicted shortages and with Ramadan falling in March 2025 and Easter on the 20^th April, it is a fair guess that trade will be strong. Whether it will be as strong as this year is debateable.

Peter Jones OLMC