He commented; “Winter finishing costs are rising year on year and beef producers need a higher price that reflects the added cost of finishing beef over the expense winter period. Last weeks average steer and heifer paid prices were almost 2% lower than the same week last year whilst young bull and cow prices had fallen by up to 5% and 8% respectively.” 

Recent figures published by the Livestock and Meat Commission show that consumer demand and expenditure for beef in the first month this year had risen significantly and the UFU say that this should have been reflected in a better price to the producer. The figures published showed that in GB consumer demand and expenditure on beef in the month of January had increased by 8% and 8.5% respectively when compared to the same period last year.

Mr Taylor added, “Every year we see winter finishing costs rising and an increase in the price of beef is needed to reflect this. The figures provided by the LMC show that consumer demand for beef is strong and it is only fair that producers receive their share of this extra consumer expenditure.”