This article explores the margins of buying and selling cattle at different intervals in the last few years, with some mitigation strategies to consider.
Over the last three years, store cattle prices have been exceptionally volatile. Average prices for 6–12 month-old store cattle in England and Wales have ranged from £714/head to £1429/head, while prices for 12–18-month-old cattle have ranged from £970/head to £1,615/head1.
Price fluctuations come as result of multiple reasons affecting supply and demand, including softening consumer demand, tightening cattle supply and changes in import and export volumes.