Prime cattle records continue to be made on a weekly basis with cattle in the last week around 710-720p/kg base. Prime cattle this week last year were trading at 480-490p/kg. The current rate of increase seems to have eased so we are possibly nearing the top, but who knows! With the excellent weather continuing many producers are firmly focussed on fieldwork as well as calving and lambing, which is also contributing to the tighter supply. We have two, four day weeks coming up, so this may tighten demand slightly. The end of April brings forward the seasonal jump in suckled finished bulls. If you have any ready, get in touch. Finished Angus bulls under 16 months wanted particularly.
Cow prices remain very strong at 560-575p base in the last week, which is a good £2/kg more than this week last year. As producers start to think about the breeding season, this buoyant cow trade will go a long way towards paying for new heifers. If you are looking for bulling heifers please don’t hesitate to get in touch as we expect the pick of them to be bought up quickly on the back of the flying beef trade.
Demand in Scotland for hogget’s is particularly lacklustre with hoggs trading 690-710p in the last week. Quality is remarkably good for the time of the year with the good weather helping hoggs finish. Demand is noticeably stronger from processors in the South and we are doing our utmost to maximise our members returns by moving hoggs South in a most cases this week. With Easter just a week away it feels unlikely at this stage that we will see any return to the dizzy heights of last April when hoggs were trading in excess of 850pkg, but with worldwide trade on a tariff rollercoaster I guess anything is possible.
Hoggs
The procurement team have seen demand for organic hoggs lift substantially as the week has progressed with prices lifting from 740 to up to 770p for premium hoggs as the week ended. More organic hoggs urgently required to meet demand from English and Welsh processors. Please get in touch if you have any organic hoggs left even if you are in the North East of Scotland.
Cattle
Prime organic cattle premiums remain very strong for the time of year with significant premiums available over the price of conventional cattle. Please phone to discuss the options available. Organic store cattle available and wanted.
Strong South County Cheviot Ewe Lambs - Jonny
Organic store cattle - Alex, Jonny, Nikki
Angus, Luing, Hereford x bulling heifers - Nikki, Jonny, Alex
24 Mixed Age Sim x organic cows & calves - Alex
Store Cattle – all shapes and sizes - ALL
Calves off milk - Jonny
Organic store cattle - David
Native bred organic cows & calves - Alex
Jonny Williams
Acting Managing Director 07817 702 988
Alex Norval
Acting Procurement Manager 07787 826 355
Nikki Gilbertson
Senior Livestock Procurement Officer- Northumberland 07595 313 040
Eilidh Mundell
Livestock Procurement Officer – Central Scotland 07789 741 807
Lucy Bell
Livestock Procurement Officer -Borders 07879 602 962
David Marshall
Fieldsman for Farmstock 07808 329 719
Colin Mair
Fieldsman for Ayrshire Country Lamb 07976 605 130
Ian Douglas
Fieldsman for Lothian Lamb 07885 367 151
Helen Marsden
Fieldsman for Dumfries and Galloway 07778 799 261
Matthew Niccolson
Fieldsman for Shetland 07795 144404
