amid gloom…
Small cheer
amid gloom…
Goodbye and good riddance is what many producers will say
to 1999 after a year of depressed prices. Pockets have
been pinched, but even amid the gloom farmers optimism
meant there have been one or two highlights to report
January
The new year opened with fewer cattle helping beef prices to £1/kg. "An excellent start," said Maurice Wall at Highbridge. It was to be short-lived. At the Oxford Farming Conference NFU president Ben Gill gave the thumbs-up to farm assurance as a "marketing advantage". Fine words, but not even the MLCs £2.5m quality standard mark could stop the pig sector plunging further into crisis. Angry, frustrated and fearful, 2000 pigmen and families descended on Westminster to highlight their plight.
February
The sheep quota year closed with record bids; LFA units sold for £44 each. Hogget prices had risen sharply to 90p/kg proving some optimism. Also on the up, Perth bull sales saw the Angus hit 20,000gns for James & Alex Lairds Duke Star; "I was determined not to go home without him," said buyer Lady Glendyne of Forfar. But there was trouble in the dairy sector; the calf processing aid scheme was extended bringing criticism from meat traders.
March
Pig farmers perked up as prices looked like they had bottomed out, recovering to 80p/kg. But FWs Easton Lodge pig unit confirmed suspicions returning a £112,000 loss. "The stall ban hasnt helped," said unit manager Jasper Renold. While the CLA was protesting against right-to-roam, dairy producers were being walked on as MM selling round failed…again. However, prospects for super-levy were low and that helped grass keep hold steady at last years level of between £80-100/acre.
April
Calf prices took an unseasonal dip, with Friesian bulls down to £13 and Continentals to £124. In its wisdom (or lack of), the BBC decided to ban One Man and His Dog leading to infamous response: BBC:Ban Border Collies? For once the public were on the side of farmers. New season lamb broke £1.50/kg as supermarkets kicked in. But the peak was later, shorter and soon on the way down.
May
Scotlands biggest auction group, United Auctions, reported a loss of £790,000 confirming many auctioneers fears. But news of a fall in cattle numbers drummed enthusiasm among stores buyers pushing prices £50-80 up on the year: "I doubt store at these values will pay," said Ross-on-Wye auctioneer Stephen Watkin. At Carlisle, Belgian Blues set a new breed record of an average of £3002 for 120 entries. At the same time ABP announced plans to negotiate individual rearing contracts for a glut of calves expected at end of CPAS. Response was to prove poor.
June
The appointment of Christine Gwyther – a vegetarian – as the Welsh Assemblys farm minister caused consternation; but the beef trade was on a high with prices rising to 95p/kg. Suckler quota was also strong trading at £180-200 for LFA (lease £50-60), reported Perthshire-based Tom Taylor and was set to increase further. This was the month when the Belgian dioxin scare broke helping lift pig values 7p/kg in one week. Cull sows had also recovered to about £78 a head. "About time," said Ralph Ward at Hull.
July
With the end of the CPAS in sight, calf markets were full. At the Royal Show MLC figures put the emphasis on getting BSPS payments as essential for finishing B&W calves. Out in the fields, standing straw went balmy with bids over £45/acre in the south west. "Im trying not to work out the figures," said Yorks-based dealer Richard Greenwood. At Nantwich, John Barlow dispersed his 340-head Buckley Guernsey herd – the biggest UK offering to a top of 1750gns for a reserve champion from last years EDFE.
August
As expected calf markets were plunged into chaos with the end of the CPAS; plain dairy calves failing to get £1 a head, raising fears over on-farm disposal. Welsh farmers dumped some in phone-boxes and RSPCA centres. Adding to dairy farmers woes was a superlevy bill for £9m. With milk price cuts on the cards, dairy cattle trade was suffering with many older cows failing to make more than the OTMS rate. Meanwhile, at Malvern the NSAs ram sale saw shearling values down 25%; "Predictable," said NSAs John Thorley.
September
Mass turnouts from the hills and the earlier loss of skin trade sent cull ewes below £10 a head, and falling fast. There was disquiet over abattoir pricing leading to a searing attack from LMA chairman and auctioneer Norman Bagley – who, with the NBA, was largely responsible for ending the use of private and company spec in price reporting abattoirs. It was a significant victory and one many applauded.
October
4000 marchers descended on the Labour Party conference at Bournemouth over farmings crisis, only to be snubbed by Tony Blair. But at that time it was difficult to believe dairy farmers were hard up; standing maize auctions, now in full swing, achieving up to £543/ha (£220/acre). "Phenomenal," said Phillip Venner of Greenslade Taylor Hunt.
November
Lamb producers, relying heavily on exports to France, were nervous that the British beef export fiasco would hit trade; but it didnt happen. However, show-goers at Perth were not so lucky. Bullish reports aside, prices reflected the malaise of farming, but Charolais topped the bull trade at 25,000gns for Mike and Margaret Atkinsons Mowbraypark Orlando. Milk quota went berserk reaching 9.1p/litre to lease. In contrast, suckler men looking at quota could name there price as the market dived a week before trading closed. And the ban on British beef was lifted (but not in France or Germany).
December
The millennium bug for producers could mean disappointing prices. But that didnt stop fatstock shows pushing beef prices over £1/kg, although there was little cheer for pig producers. Auctioneers rallied to get provisions for the new slaughter premium in place before the year end. And then OTMS abattoirs were changed. "Fiasco" said some auctioneers. At ringsides one comment was common: "Next year must be better."