Weekly cattle & sheep market wrap - 27 March 2025

Prices for week ending 22 March

Key points

• Prime cattle prices lifted again, with the all-prime price up 11p/kg on the week and now sitting at 674p/kg.
• Cow prices were also higher week-on-week as numbers continue their seasonal contraction.
• The OSL SQQ lamb price fell back 8p/kg on the week to sit at 731p/kg, following three weeks of sideways movement.

Cattle

GB deadweight cattle prices continued to grow in the week ending 22 March, with the all-prime average measure sitting at 674p/kg, up 11p on the week previous as supplies remained largely level.

Steers achieving R4L specification averaged 686p/kg (up 11p on the week), while R4L heifers averaged 685p/kg, up 10p on the week. Meanwhile, the overall young bull price rose by 11p to average 655p/kg.

Estimated GB prime cattle slaughter totalled 33,900 head for the week, up only 100 head on the week prior. More young bulls came forward, while steer and heifer throughput showed more marginal change.

Deadweight cow prices moved in the same direction, with the overall cow price up 8p/kg on the week to 503p/kg in the week ending 22 March. This measure now sits 154p/kg higher than the same week of last year. Cow slaughter continued its seasonal downturn, back 500 head week on week to sit at an estimated 7,900 head.

Defra’s latest livestock populations data from 1 December 2024 shows a continued contraction in the UK cattle herd, with the total number of cattle and calves down by 1% year-on-year. Contraction in the beef breeding herd continues, down 4% compared to December 2023.

Sheep

Turning to lamb markets, the GB OSL SQQ price fell by 8p/kg to sit at 731p/kg in the week ending 22 March. This drop follows three weeks of little price movements, with the price moving largely sideways throughout 2025 so far.

This illustrates the difference in market conditions between this year and the last, as the price now sits below year ago levels (down 108p/kg year-on-year). At this point a year ago prices were rallying, driven by a combination of supply constraints, export growth and proximity of Ramadan and Easter pushing demand. However, through 2025 we have seen lower supply balanced by weaker domestic demand, contributing to a much steadier market.

Estimated clean sheep slaughter grew week on week to sum 235,700 head for the week, up 10,000 head from the week before. Despite an increase on the week, total slaughter for the year to date is back 2% versus the same period of 2024, reflective of lower supplies.

Market reports suggest that the first spring lambs have started to come forward in the latest week, supporting supply. Trade on better shaped-well finished animals remains good, however heavier animals are reportedly dampening trade somewhat.

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