THE National Beef Association believes abattoirs have lost their influence on determining prime cattle prices.

It says the proof was in the mid-August surge in prices, which took place despite determined efforts by the UK's most powerful processors to knock late summer's deadweight averages back to 230p.

The NBA believes a dramatic turnaround in global and domestic, market forces have put the farmer on top.

Kim Haywood, NBA director, said: "The day when abattoirs alone dictated terms, and farmers took what they said about supplies and price as gospel, is over.

"Beef cattle are being traded on a seller's market and this happy state of affairs will continue for as long as slaughter animals are in short supply.

"Current indications are that prime cattle numbers will be tight for years, if not a full decade or more, so suppliers of all slaughter stock, including cull cows, should adjust quickly to these new trading circumstances and assert their new-found selling power."

According to the NBA, the control feeders have exerted over the past month to correct attempts to collapse their incomes can still be strengthened.

Ms Haywood said: "Finishers did an excellent job last month when they either held back stock until they were paid the price they asked for or withdrew their cattle altogether.

"However their position, and their incomes, will improve further if they make more effort to study the market themselves instead of relying entirely on abattoirs, or their agents, for potentially self-interested observations on price trends and supplies.

"Operators on the slaughter side have until recently been regarded by many as the sole source of useful information but as cattle supplies tighten, and prices react, more finishers need to learn to trust their judgement and make informed trading decisions of their own.

"There can be no doubt that after more than a decade of taking it on the chin, finishers are at last in a position to have a genuine say on the price needed to persuade them to let their cattle go."