Weekly cattle and sheep market wrap – 6 May 2026

Deadweight prices cover Great Britain (GB) for the week ending 2 May. Liveweight prices cover England & Wales (E&W) for the week ending 3 May.

• Cattle prices slipped across all categories in the latest reporting week as weaker consumer demand continues to weigh on values at the farmgate.
• Sheep prices held at historically high levels for this time of year, with shorter supplies in recent weeks lending support to prices.

GB deadweight cattle prices fell away across all categories in the week ending 2 May, with the all prime average measure back 8p on the week to sit at 620p/kg.

Average prices for steers and heifers were back 7p and 9p to land at 621p/kg and 620p/kg, respectively. Slightly smaller falls were recorded in the young bull category, with the average price down 4p on the week to 605p/kg.

Estimated kill of prime cattle fell very slightly on the week, with numbers back 100 head to total 33,500 head in the week ending 2 May. Kill for the year to date is sitting in line with 2025 levels, with short term supply availability likely weighing on prices.

Prices also dipped for cows, with the overall average price back 12p week on week to land at 507p/kg in the latest reporting. Numbers of cows forward remains lower, totalling 7,100 head this week, a fall of 400 head on the week prior.

The latest retail data from Worldpanel by Numerator UK, showed continued volume declines across the beef category as prices remain higher year on year. In the 12-week period ending 19 April 2026, volumes sold in retail fell by 6% year on year, whilst average prices were up nearly 15%. These challenges on the demand side are feeding back to the farmgate, adding pressure to prices.

Sheep prices remain at historically high levels, with the deadweight OSL SQQ at 837p/kg in the week ending 2 May. This is back 6p on the week, however, remains over 150p above last year’s level and the five-year average. The deadweight NSL price fell by just 2p on the week, to land at 917p/kg.

Price movements were mirrored in the live markets, with the liveweight OSL SQQ back 7p on the week to 400p/kg. The liveweight NSL SQQ also came back, by 6p/kg, to 456p/kg, despite growing numbers of new season lambs coming through markets as the season progresses.

Estimated kill of clean sheep totalled 176,000 head in the latest week, back nearly 10,000 head on the week prior as old season stocks continue to dwindle. These tighter supplies have likely contributed to price support in recent weeks.

© Livestock Auctioneers Association Limited 2026. All rights reserved.

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