HC Deb 15 January 1975 vol 884 cc129-30W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average price in auction markets in Northern Ireland of fat cattle and breeding cows, namely, beef cows and suckling type, in the autumn of 1930, 1931, 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970 and 1974, respectively.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

This information cannot be provided in the form requested. However, the following tables give such details as are available.

Annual average prices for animals sold in auction markets:—

Fat Cattle (Steers and Heifers) Cows in milk per head Cows in calf per head
£ per live cwt. £ £
1930 (Calendar Year) 2.13 18.32 20.56
1931 (Calendar Year) 1.94 16.21 18.64
1940 (Calendar Year) 2.91 19.60 20.95
1950 (Calendar Year) 5.07 34.33 34.66
1960–61 (June-May Year) 6.14 69.24 66.75
1970–71 (June-May Year) 9.79 83.68* 89.68*
1973–74 (June-May Year) 17.45 124.10* 138.95*

Average prices for the autumn months, September to November, which are available only for 1970 and 1974, are as follows:—

1970 8.80 78.72* 86.24*
1974 11.21 98.61* 101.72*
* The Friesian and Ayrshire breeds are excluded from these figures.