AT COLCHESTER MARKET
BEEF TRADE
GRAHAM ELLIS FRICS FAAV FLAA For and on behalf of Stanfords T: 01206 842156 E: info@stanfords-colchester.co.uk
REMAINS STRONG
www.stanfords-colchester.co.uk
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As this report was being written at the beginning of July we still saw a very strong beef trade with numbers generally inadequate for the demand, and despite reports of a reduced retail demand we saw in Colchester strong competition for all cattle and many more could be sold to advantage. Prices generally are well above levels seen 12 months ago, something that is very much needed with increased feed costs and the high price of replacement store cattle. It is good to see that weight can be sold to advantage, but good finish to the cattle is important as always. Prices are regularly seen in the region of 235p/kg to 245p/kg, with averages between 215p/kg and 220p/kg. The over thirty months (OTM) cattle trade is probably the dearest that has been seen, with strong competition throughout for all over aged cattle including cull cows. Processing meat is required and with the high demand for barbecue meats, no doubt fueled by the success of the England football team and the demand for burgers, the trade is strong. Store cattle as always at this time of year are very short and more could be sold if available. Many finished cattle yards are now empty, and with the likelihood of a good supply of winter forage hopefully the demand will stay strong.
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AUGUST 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET
Sheep trade hit a plateau in the four weeks leading up to this report being written, with a sudden drop off the edge which was against most people’s expectations. However, it must be remembered that the price level is still very much in line with 12 months ago and in all honesty we had been warning of a likely adjustment of price levels following the exceptional prices received right through to the beginning of June this year. It is always difficult for vendors to take a price drop, but most producers anticipated it. Still, good lambs are trading from £100 to £130 per head for weight and good finish and handy weight 36kg to 38kg lambs are regularly trading around the £90 per head level, with best continentals above this. There is still a very strong trade which can hopefully be maintained through the coming months. The cull ewe trade is at very good levels, with plenty of ewes well over £125 per head and averages probably £40 a head up on the year. It will be interesting to see where the replacement ewes and shearlings trade will be this year. By the time this report has been read some evidence will be available, with indications suggesting we could be in for an exceptional year. Very few store sheep are being sold at the time of this report, but there is likely to be a strong trade which will also help to underpin the finished sheep trade. Pigs continue to slightly increase in price on deadweight sales, although this is a somewhat slower increase than producers had hoped for. More demand for pork for the barbecue season is obviously helping this increase, and let us hope that continues throughout the summer months. It is also good to see cull sow prices increasing substantially, with strong demand throughout. With the somewhat uncertain weather conditions as this report was being written causing some concern with regard to harvesting of corn crops, it was noticeable that some barleys had been affected by the wet weather, but it still appears that there will be a good supply of straw and good corn yields seem possible.
