Beef market at mercy of more variables than ever

OH, for predictable cattle prices. Instead, the beef market is at the mercy of more variables than ever before. A period of relative stability is likely within the EU, but watch out for the snakes and ladders.

For snakes, read steaks, from Argentina. Or, choose from the release of intervention beef, the strengthening of the euro, or the whims of international beef buyers.

You could get a leg up the ladder from changes to the age limit for bone-in carcasses, or rising demand for foot-and-mouth replacements in the UK.