Improved trade at marts

Marts: There was an improved trade for beef and forward lots of bullocks and heifers at the marts yesterday where the entries of cattle continued strong.

The demand and prices paid for forward animals yesterday reflected the recovery in beef prices at the factories this week and confidence in a continuation of the strong trade for beef in the lead up to Christmas with the supply of finished cattle expected to remain tight over the coming weeks.

With a strong trade for beef in Britain, factories will require the sourcing of good supplies of cattle to fill the Christmas orders and producers are looking forward to a hardening in the trade as demand likely outstrips the supply.