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

• Price: All-prime around 640–641p/kg (↑1p). Steers/heifers up a shade; young bulls +2p.

• Throughput: 31,700 head prime slaughter (↑200 w/w; slightly above last year).

• Cows: Overall 509p/kg (↑2p) with 8,600 head forward (↑600). Leaner cows showing; heavy, well-finished cows keenly sought.

• Stores: Forward stores and named-sire natives at premiums; caution on longer-keep types amid forage worries.

Sheep

• Price: GB NSL deadweight SQQ 756p/kg (↑2p); England & Wales liveweight SQQ 347p/kg (↑1p; +39p y/y).

• 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

• Processor competition for prime cattle if grass tightens further.

• New-season lambs and pasture conditions into late August.

• 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.

Irish Sheep Trade Prices Hold Steady – Week Ending 2 August 2025

The Irish sheep trade prices August 2025 report highlights steady market conditions with signs of pressure on lamb values. Base quotes eased slightly last week after several weeks of stability.

Irish Lamb Market

Processors are now quoting €7.80–7.85/kg plus QA bonus. Most are paying up to an upper carcase weight of 21kg. According to Bord Bia, higher lamb availability in the UK and key export regions is reducing demand for Irish product.

Deadweight Prices

For the week ending 2 August 2025, the Irish deadweight lamb price averaged €7.80/kg. For context, prices in Great Britain averaged €8.73/kg, while Northern Ireland recorded €7.71/kg. Meanwhile, Southern Hemisphere markets remain competitive. Australian heavy lambs stood at €6.65/kg, and New Zealand lamb eased to €5.03/kg, close to its strongest level since late 2022.

Throughput

Total sheep kill in DAFM-approved plants reached 38,955 head last week. This marked an increase on the week but remained below 2024 levels, when 49,465 head were processed. Year-to-date throughput now totals 1.48 million head, which is 16% behind 2024. Lower numbers have been reported across all categories.

Industry Outlook

Processors continue to seek R-grade lambs at fat scores 2–3, with bonuses paid for Quality Assured (QA) stock. In addition, seasonal demand will play a key role in shaping price trends as the market responds to shifting supply and consumer buying behaviour.

In summary, the Irish sheep trade prices August 2025 update confirms stable but pressured lamb prices, with higher UK and EU supply likely to influence demand in the weeks ahead.

See also: Irish cattle trade: tighter supplies lift quotes; R3 steer hits €7.56/kg

Weekly Cattle and Sheep Market Wrap

Key Points

• Restocker cattle demand reflects the impact of the rainfall events of the last month.
• The National Mutton Indicator continues to recorrect.
• National cattle slaughter lifted above 150,000 head for the first time since June 2019.

Australia is heading into a series of public holidays that are expected to disrupt regular operations at saleyards and meat processing plants across the country. Market indicators and processing volumes will be impacted over the upcoming weeks. MLA will continue monitoring the prices and markets and return to regular market commentary once all saleyards are back online.

Upcoming National Public Holidays

• Easter: Friday 18 April – Monday 21 April
• ANZAC Day: Friday 25 April
• Labour Day (Queensland) and May Day (NT): Monday 5 May

A list of affected sales can be found in the article here.

Cattle Market

The mixed results in the cattle market this week were due to the volatility of supply in saleyards. This was caused by interrupted sales, with reduced yardings the week prior.

As the effects of the Queensland and NSW rain are realised in feed, confidence in the market has been reflected in the lifting of the Restocker Yearling Heifer Indicator and Restocker Yearling Steer Indicator. Despite a lift in indicator yardings, both indicators lifted 4¢ last week to 328¢/kg liveweight (lwt) and 401¢/kg lwt, respectively.

Finished animals did not fare well this week, with the Heavy Steer Indicator easing 16¢ to 356¢/kg lwt. This has further separated the gap between the steer indicators as the market reflects the weight of gaining confidence. The Processor Cow Indicator similarly fell, easing 13¢ to 284¢/kg lwt, a seeming correction of the spikes seen last week.

Sheep Market

The sheep market was similarly mixed this week. Similar to cattle, yardings were impacted by interrupted sales.

Finished stock remained relatively stable, with the Heavy Lamb Indicator and Trade Lamb moving sideways to 815¢ and 801¢/kg cwt.

Restocker lambs eased to 669¢/kg cwt, driven mostly by confidence in NSW markets pulling prices up last week, and a lack of competitive pulling them back down. The National Mutton Indicator continued its decline, down 78¢ to 431¢/kg cwt, despite a significant reduction in the supply of mutton through yards. Moving through autumn, it is likely we will see a continued reduction in supply.

Slaughter

Week Ending 11 April 2025

Processing volumes for the week ending 11 April lifted from last week as processors recovered from the impact of the floods in Queensland and prepared for several weeks of interrupted processing. Processing volumes tend to lift in the week before Easter, and this year’s increases are in line with this historical trend.

The next two slaughter reports will be impacted by the upcoming short weeks.

Cattle Slaughter

National slaughter lifted 6% to 152,180 head, thanks to significant lifts in NSW and Victoria. Both states had their largest kill weeks in five years, processing 37,994 and 25,411 head, respectively.

Consistent lifts across all states last week (up 0–⁠8%) also contributed:

• NSW up 6% to 37,994
• Queensland up 6% to 77,335
• SA up 1% to 3,815
• Tasmania up 1% to 5,016
• Victoria up 8% to 25,411
• WA steady at 2,609.

Sheep Slaughter

Lamb processing reached records, lifting 4% for a record throughput of 527,045 head, the fourth consecutive week above the half-million mark. This reflects the continued supply of the 2024 lamb cohort, many of which were retained longer due to poorer conditions and weight gain decisions.

NSW throughput lifted 5% to 131,364, its largest week since September 2024. Victoria’s throughput also lifted 3% last week to 261,758, the second-largest state throughput, just behind last month’s record. State-by-state breakdown was as follows:

• NSW up 5% to 131,364
• Queensland up 4% to 1,460
• SA up 8% to 61,959
• Tasmania up 7% to 11,563
• Victoria up 3% to 261,758
• WA up 1% to 58,941.

Lifts were also seen in sheep slaughter, which increased 4% to 197,580, though throughput remained below the 2025 average. Increases across both categories took the combined slaughter to 724,627 head, the third largest throughput of the year.

Attribute to: Erin Lukey, MLA Senior Market Information Analyst.

 

 

 

MLA

Weekly Cattle and Sheep Market Wrap: Prices Rise Amid Slaughter Decline

Cattle Market 
The GB overall all-prime cattle price saw a substantial increase of 10p/kg week-on-week, reaching 663p/kg. R4L prices for both steers and heifers climbed to 675p/kg, reflecting strong market demand. The estimated slaughter number for prime cattle was notably down, with a 5% decrease compared to the previous week.

In the week ending 15 March, GB deadweight cattle prices continued their upward trend. Overall steer and heifer prices grew by 10p/kg from the previous week, reaching 665p/kg and 663p/kg respectively. Young bulls also saw a similar increase, up 11p to 644p/kg. Deadweight cow prices rallied after muted growth in the previous week, showing an increase of 9p/kg to reach 495p/kg. This rise is the greatest for a month, suggesting it is following similar trends to prime cattle.

The estimated slaughter for GB prime cattle was down for the week ending 15 March, with an estimated kill of 33,800 head, representing a 5% drop compared to the previous week. Cow estimated slaughter followed a similar trend, down 700 head to an estimated 8,400 head.

Red meat retail performance indicates that although prices have begun to increase year-on-year, with the average price paid up 5.7%, volumes have remained relatively constant. This suggests good demand for beef despite the consumer starting to see some uplift in prices, which will be an important watchpoint over the coming months.

Sheep Market 
For the week ending 15 March, the GB deadweight old season lamb SQQ averaged 739p/kg, remaining flat compared to the previous week. This price is down 51p compared to the same week in 2024. The estimated kill was down by 10,500 head on the previous week, totaling 225,700 head, a significant drop of 4.5% on the week and 6% on the year.

Reports suggest that heavier stock appears to be dominating the market. This is supported by Defra carcase weights in February 2024, showing a slight month-on-month uplift, indicating that larger lambs that have had more time to grow are supporting supply at this time.

As the market continues to evolve, stakeholders will be closely monitoring these trends to make informed decisions. The rise in cattle prices and the steady lamb prices amidst declining slaughter numbers highlight the dynamic nature of the livestock market.

Original story: AHDB

Cyclone Alfred Impacts Slaughter and Yardings Across Australia

The Australian livestock market continues to feel the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, with significant disruptions to cattle and sheep slaughter volumes and yardings. Despite these challenges, cattle prices have strengthened, and restocker interest is rising, driven by the return of domestic processors.

---

Cattle Market Overview

• Yardings dropped by 31,624 to 43,942 head due to weather disruptions and producers in New England holding cattle in anticipation of rainfall.
• Cattle prices rose nationally, with the Dairy Cow Indicator up 25¢ to 242¢/kg liveweight (lwt).
• Victorian prices saw a notable lift of 27¢, while Wagga producers responded positively to rainfall forecasts, pushing the Restocker Yearling Steer Indicator up 18¢.
• National average price increased by 11¢ to 364¢/kg lwt.

---

Sheep and Lamb Market Trends

• Trade Lamb Indicator rose 9¢ to 795¢/kg carcase weight (cwt), supported by renewed processor demand.
• Price movements varied by state: Victoria saw a slight 1¢ drop, while NSW prices lifted by 8¢.
• Heavy lambs over 30kg were in short supply, while lighter lambs increased, causing a 17¢ drop to 729¢/kg cwt.

---

Slaughter Statistics – Week Ending March 7, 2025

Cattle:

• Total slaughter fell by 14,116 to 133,017 head.
• Queensland saw the largest decline (13,967 head) due to processor shutdowns.
• NSW, SA, and Victoria remained relatively stable.

Sheep and Lamb:

• Combined slaughter eased by 25,618 to 699,627 head.
• Sheep slaughter dropped by 13,756 to 205,728 head, mainly in Victoria (-5,374) and WA (-11,758).
• NSW sheep slaughter increased by 2,634 head, keeping overall sheep slaughter 1.4% above the same period last year.
• Lamb slaughter declined by 11,862 to 493,899 head, with reductions in NSW (-3,685), Victoria (-1,484), and WA (-6,427).

---

Conclusion

Despite weather-related disruptions, the Australian cattle and sheep markets remain resilient. Rising prices and renewed processor activity are supporting market stability, while slaughter volumes reflect ongoing challenges. Producers are cautiously optimistic as rainfall forecasts and restocker demand signal potential recovery.

MLA