GB cattle steady; lamb firm at 756p/kg as kill slips
UK weekly cattle & sheep: all-prime ~640p/kg; lamb NSL SQQ 756p/kg as kill slips
8 August 2025 — UK | GB finished cattle prices edged up again, while deadweight lamb values defied seasonal pressure. AHDB reports the GB deadweight all-prime cattle average at ~640–641p/kg (↑1p w/w) and the GB NSL deadweight SQQ at 756p/kg (↑2p w/w). Clean sheep throughput fell as later lambs and poor grazing slowed the flow.
Another small weekly rise keeps prime cattle near record territory, with limited numbers of heavyweight, finished cattle supporting the trade. Lamb prices remain firm against the seasonal grain, aided by tighter supplies.
Market/Context
Cattle
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Price: All-prime around 640–641p/kg (↑1p). Steers/heifers up a shade; young bulls +2p.
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Throughput: 31,700 head prime slaughter (↑200 w/w; slightly above last year).
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Cows: Overall 509p/kg (↑2p) with 8,600 head forward (↑600). Leaner cows showing; heavy, well-finished cows keenly sought.
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Stores: Forward stores and named-sire natives at premiums; caution on longer-keep types amid forage worries.
Sheep
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Price: GB NSL deadweight SQQ 756p/kg (↑2p); England & Wales liveweight SQQ 347p/kg (↑1p; +39p y/y).
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Throughput: Clean sheep kill 155,100 head (−5,600 w/w; ~−9% y/y). Store demand firm for stronger lambs; appetite softer for long-term stores until grass improves.
What to watch
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Processor competition for prime cattle if grass tightens further.
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New-season lambs and pasture conditions into late August.
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Whether deadweight lamb prices can hold above mid-summer norms as numbers lift.
Attribution
Publisher: Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) — Weekly cattle and sheep market wrap.
Author: Tom Spencer.
