Weekly cattle and sheep market wrap – 19 February 2026

Key points

• GB deadweight prime cattle prices showed mixed movement in the latest week. Heifers and steers averaged 635p/kg and 636p/kg respectively, young bulls averaged 613p/kg
• The GB deadweight old season lamb (OSL) SQQ rose to stand at 713p/kg. Meanwhile, the E&W liveweight OSL SQQ slipped by 1p to average 345p/kg
• AHDB estimated clean sheep slaughter increased by 22,450 head on the week, with stronger supply observed ahead of Ramadan

Cattle

GB deadweight prime cattle prices saw mixed movement in the week ending 14 February. The average all-prime price stood at 635p/kg, rising by just 0.3p on the week and up 1.9p compared with the same period last year.

Within this, the average steer price reached 636p/kg, rising by 0.9p on the week and standing 1.2p higher than the same period last year. This is also 159p/kg above the five-year average.

The overall heifer price was 635p/kg, down 0.6p from the previous week but still 2.8p higher than the same period last year.

Overall, young bulls averaged 613p/kg, down 1.2p from the previous week but still 3.8p higher than a year ago.

The average GB deadweight cow price rose by 1.8p to 512p/kg, marking a 40p increase compared with last year and standing 166p/kg above the five‑year average.

Estimated GB prime cattle slaughter reached 33,900 head, showing more stability (-100 head) against the previous week. Meanwhile, cull cow slaughter numbers fell by 500 head to 10,200 head, still 500 head higher than the same week last year.

Market reports describe sluggish consumer demand for beef overall, typical for the time of year following Christmas. Initial reporting on Valentine’s Day grocery value sales performance appears positive; however the true impact of price inflation against volume sales are yet to be revealed.

Upcoming data releases over the next few weeks will indicate how red meat and dairy performed specifically.

Sheep

Meanwhile, the GB deadweight old season lamb (OSL) SQQ rose by 9p in the week ending 14 February, reaching 713p/kg. Despite this increase, the price remained 24p below the level recorded in the same week last year.

In the week ending 15 February, the liveweight OSL SQQ for England and Wales (E&W) remained largely steady, slipping by just 1p to 345p/kg, which was 10p higher than during the same week in 2025. Throughputs rose by 2% to 55,900 head.

Early new season price reporting shows the E&W liveweight NSL SQQ stood at 349p/kg for the week ending 15 February, up 12p on the week prior.

AHDB estimated weekly GB clean sheep slaughter grew strongly, totalling 248,352 head, an increase of around 22,500 head (+12%) on the week and 20% on the year.

The seasonal influence of Ramadan is shaping buying patterns and supporting the additional supply moving through the market. Reports suggest that poor weather in parts of the country has also encouraged more lambs forward.

Average cull ewe prices fell by £4.30/head over the week to £131/head, though they remain £2.70/head higher than a year ago.

© Livestock Auctioneers Association Limited 2026. All rights reserved.

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