Livestock Market Summary – November
As we wrap up November, the livestock trade has shown its usual seasonal shifts – but this year’s trends have been shaped just as much by supply pressure, processor behaviour and international pricing as by the run-up to Christmas. Across our four weekly market reports (3rd–24th November), clear patterns have emerged in cattle, sheep and pigs. Here is our month-end summary.
Prime & Cull Cattle – Supplies Tight, Trade Steady but Sensitive
Throughout November, UK Prime Cattle numbers have remained below last year, continuing the theme we’ve seen for much of 2025. Weekly kills sit well behind 2024 levels (down approx. 1900 heads/week) and this tightening in availability is underpinning the trade rather than consumer demand.
Prime Cattle
- Processors have been largely well supplied but continue to enquire for quality cattle.
- Across the month we saw small lifts discussed — including 5p/kg improvements in early/mid-November, (XMAS retail orders being fulfilled)
- Base prices generally held in the £6.60–£6.70/kg region depending on grade and specification.
- Irish prices remained a major factor. ROI cattle consistently traded ahead of GB, keeping pressure on British abattoirs and shaping their buying decisions.
While occasional dips appeared week-to-week, the fundamental story stayed the same: tight supplies are supporting the trade, even as processors manage bookings carefully heading toward December.
Cull Cows
Cull cow demand was more changeable:
- Early November saw cow prices “standing on”.
- Mid-month, we reported 5–10p/kg drops predicted, largely driven by reduced prices in ROI dropping by 7–15p/kg but also ‘farmgate milk prices’ falling 4-10p/litre. GB saw its highest weekly slaughtering’s of Barren cows in Nov, averaging 12,000 head+.
- Manufacturing beef demand remains sensitive, and this sector is quickest to react to international movement.
Cow values may continue to fluctuate into early December, particularly with processors balancing Christmas workloads. Early Jan trade for both Prime Beef & Barren cows will be dependent on whether the Cold stores are empty or not at that start of 2026.
Store Cattle – Strong Demand, Earlier Selling Patterns
Store cattle have seen consistently strong demand this month.
- Many finishers opted to move cattle earlier to avoid expensive winter finishing costs hindered by lack of forage from the summer drought.
- Suckler-bred stores drew particular interest.
- Native and dairy-bred stores maintained good competition, supported by producers looking to secure numbers for turnout.
This pattern – selling a bit earlier and buying strategically – has been one of November’s most noticeable behavioural trends across our customer base. We anticipate fewer store cattle being ‘carried over into the New Year’ with the expectation that ‘Grazing cattle’ will be short in numbers at the end of Jan.
Sheep – Demand Strengthens as Lamb Supplies Tighten
The lamb trade firmed progressively through the month.
- Processors were keen for numbers, with several offering improved live and deadweight prices.
- Supply tightened week-on-week, typical for this stage of the season, but the strength of demand gave an extra lift.
- Quality lambs in particular saw solid interest from start to finish.
With Christmas approaching and numbers historically reducing into December, the outlook for lamb remains positive heading into the new month.
Calves – Steady Demand
November saw a notably strong calf trade, with 1st and 2nd quality unrestricted beef and dairy-cross calves rising in value — a lift not seen for some time. Tight forage supplies, favourable cereal prices and a firm beef market encouraged producers to buy younger cattle and feed more grain ahead of spring. Some also kept males entirely for intensive finishing.
Meanwhile, 3rd quality calves met a slower trade, especially as weather pressure increased the number of softer types. The widening gap between 2nd and 3rd quality calves presents a clear opportunity for producers to focus on.
Dairy-Bred Calves
- Dairy bulls have enjoyed consistent demand for well fed 1st & 2nd quality types, whilst numbers have remained tight due to the impact of sexed semen, we have maintained numbers through fortnightly collections, thank you to all suppliers that are working with us.
TB-Restricted Calves
- Producing quality calves is the key to creating consistent returns within the TB calf market. The trade has remained firm throughout the month and our calf team have busy building up the collection this autumn, growing numbers and opportunities to help more producers reach a consistent and competitive market place in and out of restriction.
Genetics
- Our efforts in finding the next generation of blue and angus genetics continues…..the outcomes of the Momentum project are now available to Dairy and Beef farmers alike, so if you want easy calving blue and angus sires that receive a premium then please call your account manager to discuss the “Superior Sire Elite” list of bulls to serve to your cows. The same is so If you’re a beef producer and would like to find out how you can buy these feed efficient calves.
Final Thoughts
November has been a month of mixed fortunes across species:
- Cattle supported by restricted supply
- Store cattle in strong demand
- Lambs benefiting from tightening numbers
- Calves showing notable resilience and demand for quality
We’ll continue to keep customers updated as the Christmas period approaches, and as always, if you have stock to advertise or are looking to buy, our team is here to help.