Livestock market impacted by hot weather

Livestock market impacted by hot weather

The prolonged period of dry, hot weather is reportedly impacting the livestock market as the effects of lack of forage availability, reduced livestock growth rates and a change in consumers’ eating habits start to become evident.

According to Stuart Ashworth, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) director of economics services, the reduced availability of forage supplies is now having an impact on the cattle market with a significant increase in the number of store cattle going through the auction rings in the past week.

Stuart Ashworth, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) director of economics services.

Ashworth commented: “Store cattle price reporting auction markets reported an increase of 40% in the number of cattle they sold compared with the same week last year.

“This higher volume of store cattle being brought forward slightly younger and at lighter weights, is contributing to these animals typically trading £100 per head, or more, lower than this time last year.”

Ashworth believes the major influence on prime stock prices is the effect of the long spell of hot, dry weather on consumer buying patterns and, in particular, the interest in barbecue meats.

He continued: “Steaks, burgers and sausages sell well in periods of hot weather while roasting joints and stewing products fall in popularity.”

The volume of lambs going through the auction ring although climbing seasonally is said to be lower than last year.

Additionally, and despite the tightness of forage supplies, the proportion of lambs reaching the auctions that are above the Standard Quality Quotation (SQQ) weight limit of 45kg liveweight is said to be higher than last year as producers seek to maximise income per lamb.

Consequently, Ashworth added, despite there being fewer prime lambs available for sale, consumer demand for barbecue products is reducing demand for lamb-based products below the volume currently available, meaning prime sheep market prices are falling.

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