AT COLCHESTER MARKET
24 GRAHAM ELLIS FRICS FAAV FLAA
For and on behalf of Stanfords T: 01206 842156 E: info@stanfords-colchester.co.uk www.stanfords-colchester.co.uk
SHEEP AT RECORD PRICES
The cold spring at the beginning of April was not reflected within the livestock sale rings and auction markets; cattle and sheep numbers were at excellent levels, with sheep at record prices. This was totally unexpected in most people’s eyes, with the trade for old season lambs already at record levels, regularly trading over £150 per head and weight not an issue. Considering that most restaurant outlets, including pubs, were still closed until 12 April, it will be interesting to see how, by the time this report is published, the trade has reflected the anticipated increase in catering sales. There is certainly a pent-up demand for quality British meat which is great to see for livestock producers, and long may it continue. Early spring lamb sales are also seeing an excellent demand, with lambs trading up to £180 per head and more desperately wanted by buyers
who had an excellent Easter. Signs are good that with numbers tight, this trade will be maintained. Prime cattle are also shorter than required in the live ring and more could easily be sold to advantage. Prices are forecast to increase over the next few months, with supplies being shorter than demand. This is all good news and proves the benefit of selling in the live markets, where trade has without doubt pushed the prices forward. With more vendors and buyers returning to the live ring, it is good to see the British public being served quality meat on an open basis. The cull sheep and beef trades are also excellent, at levels that have rarely been seen. Store cattle are meeting an excellent demand, with more vendors looking to replace their sold stock despite the high price of feed; there is some confidence within the beef and lamb industry at the moment.
MAY 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET
It is still disappointing that the pig market has seen little uplift for some time, with dead prices increasing only very slowly. It is good, however, to see that the cull sow trade has increased substantially since the beginning of the year, although that would still be at levels well below 12 months ago. With pigs being fed mostly grain and this being at high cost levels, pigs are a very high cost product and certainly all producers need an uplift in the trade which is slowly coming forward. The cold weather at the beginning of April and the lack of rain is putting some spring crops under some stress, but hopefully by the time this report is published we will have seen some warm rain and some good growing conditions. It is a volatile livestock market at the moment but mostly moving in an upward direction. Let us hope this continues; with the saying “sell live to thrive” continuing to be in evidence.
