51AVÊÓÆµ

Fierce competition for prime beef sees prices 'soar' with supply limited by reduction in UK cattle numbers

Farmers have seen strong prime beef prices at auction marts of late, but will the trend continue?

Chris Brayford
clock • 4 min read
QMS market intelligence manager, Iain MacDonald, said prices were up by more than 40% on the five-year average for the time last month due to 'fierce competition' for prime cattle.
Image:

QMS market intelligence manager, Iain MacDonald, said prices were up by more than 40% on the five-year average for the time last month due to 'fierce competition' for prime cattle.

After a strong second half of 2024, prime cattle prices have continued to surge at the start of 2025, with prices up by 21% year-on-year. QMS Quality Meat Scotland's market intelligence manager, Iain...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

Ìý

More on Beef

Opinion: If I had £1 for every time I opened the weather apps last week

Opinion: If I had £1 for every time I opened the weather apps last week

Livestock reporter Ellie Layton shares an insight into haymaking at her home in Herefordshire

Ellie Layton
clock 29 June 2026 • 2 min read
Highland cattle shine in the Royal Highland showring and on the hills

Highland cattle shine in the Royal Highland showring and on the hills

The Cladich Highland cattle prefix features in volume one of the Highland Cattle Society Herd Book of 1885, and two heifers from the fold will be heading to the Royal Highland Show

Wendy Short
clock 10 June 2026 • 8 min read
Why Simmental cattle are paying their way on one Herefordshire mixed farm

Why Simmental cattle are paying their way on one Herefordshire mixed farm

The Smith family have ensured their suckler finishing enterprise is future-proofed with pure-bred Simmentals at the heart of their Herefordshire-based mixed farm

clock 02 June 2026 • 5 min read