UK Cattle and Sheep Prices Show Mixed Movements in Late August
UK Cattle and Sheep Market Update – Week Ending 23 August 2025
The UK cattle and sheep market update August 2025 shows a mixed picture. Beef prices held steady, while lamb values fell sharply.
Cattle Market
According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the all-prime deadweight cattle average stayed firm at 641.2p/kg, slipping just 0.1p. Steer and heifer prices showed only minor changes. However, young bulls eased by 1.6p to 635p/kg.
Prime cattle slaughter reached 32,500 head. This figure was 3% higher year-on-year, although overall volumes for 2025 remain 4% below 2024 levels.
Cull cow slaughter rose sharply, climbing 11% week-on-week to 8,500 head. Despite the higher kill, average cow prices increased by 3.4p to 511.8p/kg. In addition, O4L cows achieved 544.7p/kg, underlining solid demand.
Sheep Market
In contrast, the sheep trade weakened. The new season lamb (NSL) deadweight SQQ dropped 19p to 735p/kg. This marks the steepest weekly fall since June. At the same time, estimated lamb slaughter increased by 11,000 head to 197,000.
Liveweight lamb prices also slipped. The NSL average fell 23p to 317.1p/kg. AHDB noted that poor forage in drought-affected regions of the North and West has slowed lamb finishing. Consequently, supply pressures could remain an issue in the weeks ahead.
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