UK Cattle and Sheep Prices Show Mixed Movements in Late August
UK Cattle and Sheep Market Update – Week Ending 23 August
28 August 2025 – Beef and lamb prices in Great Britain showed mixed movements last week, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
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The all-prime deadweight cattle average held steady at 641.2p/kg, edging down just 0.1p. Steer and heifer prices shifted only slightly, while young bulls slipped 1.6p to 635p/kg. Prime cattle slaughter reached 32,500 head, up 3% on the year, though overall 2025 volumes remain 4% lower than 2024.
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Cull cow slaughter climbed 11% week-on-week to 8,500 head, yet average prices still increased by 3.4p to 511.8p/kg, with O4L cows achieving 544.7p/kg.
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In the sheep sector, the new season lamb (NSL) deadweight SQQ fell 19p to 735p/kg, its steepest weekly drop since June. Estimated lamb slaughter rose 11,000 head to 197,000, while liveweight NSL slipped 23p/kg to 317.1p/kg.
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AHDB noted some lambs are struggling to finish due to poor forage availability, particularly in drought-affected regions in the North and West.
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