Bluetongue regulations have changed in the last week, particularly if you are farming in Dumfries & Galloway or South Ayrshire. Please make sure you are up to date with the latest requirements and fill in the appropriate licences before moving stock.
Cattle
Prime cattle in the last week have been 610–615p/kg, with cattle noticeably tighter in the North than in England. It will be interesting to see whether some high-profile personnel changes at processors has an impact on the trade going forward. More cattle wanted to meet firmer demand.
Cull cow demand is particularly weak in comparison to the clean cattle price, with large numbers of plainer cows filling processors' books in England. Trade is back 10pto 515-530p. With the surge in cull cows happening much earlier than normal, one would expect this to help the trade later in the autumn, when traditionally we are awash with cows.
We have a retained list of buyers looking for large numbers of store cattle on farm to farm basis. If you are likely to have some to sell please give us a call to discuss the benefits.
With the prime trade awash with lean sheep, member prime lamb quality remains generally excellent for the time of year – thank you! Deadweight prices in the last week are around 700p/kg, with non-farm assured lambs slightly behind at around 680p/kg. The strength of sterling relative to the euro is hampering exporters to some degree. Defra data shows strong slaughter volumes nationally. The dry weather in England and Wales, coupled with strong prices, may have encouraged many producers to sell lambs earlier than normal.
Morelambs are wanted, (both farm assured and non-farm assured) to meet excellent demand from a variety of processors. We should note that this is for extra lambs and is new business.
Cull ewe prices have eased, as can often happen at this time of year, with plenty coming forward. Ewes have been around 410–420p/kg base in the last week.
Great batches of store lambs are coming available, both in and out of the Bluetongue zones.
Great batches of ewe lambs, gimmers and breeding ewes are also available. Buying breeding sheep on a farm-to-farm basis can help reduce disease risk and allows us to match stock directly to your requirements.
Organic prime cattle have been to 740p/kg in the last week, with supply and demand evenly balanced. Organic prime lambs are meeting mixed demand, as can be typical for the time of year, with modest premiums available.
Please phone the office or your fieldsman to discuss the options available.
For Sale
Aberfield flock of ewes. Genuine dispersal Colin
Scotch Mule ewe dispersal. David
95 Scotch mule ewes, regular ages. Nikki
50 Scotch Mule gimmers Nikki/ Mandy / Lucy
Suffolk x Scotch mule gimmers Ian
Easycare gimmers (organic) David, Alex
200 Chevease sired shedding ewe lambs Mandy
200 Easycare ewe lambs Jonny/ Alex
Cheviot Mule ewe lambs Nikki
120 White faced store lambs Lucy
Texel x Cheviot gimmers Nikki
300 Blackie Ewe lambs Helen
50 Lleyn ewes Nikki/Jonny
Organic store lambs available Alex, David, Lucy
130 Abertex ewe lambs (English) Helen
Tups available, Cheviots, Suffolks, Texels, Wool Shedding
Stock bulls available, Angus, Charolais and Hereford etc
Wanted
100 Scotch mule ewe lambs Mandy
Angus Bullocks Polly, Nikki, Helen
Organic store cattle All
Regular aged cheviot ewes Helen
Store lambs ALL Fieldsmen
Grazing cattle Helen, David, Alex, Nikki
Angus x dairy stores all weights Helen, Jonny
