Disappearing ghost calves
Lamb prices see-saw as numbers vary
LAMB prices are see-sawing, according to numbers forward, with producers uncertain whether to stand off and hope prices recover, or to obtain some much-needed cash now.
Direct-to-abattoir prices went up from about £1.60kg/dw to £1.68 over the weekend, rather more than the auction prices. MLCs GB SQQ for Monday was 71.37p/kg lw, up 2.11p on the week. The weekly average was 70.78p/kg.
The Meat and Livestock Commissions Jenny Anderson said more lambs had been slaughtered to date this year than last, and skin values were improving.
MLCs weekly market report noted that a year ago skins were worth £8 to £10 each, and sale values for 40kg lambs this year had been running at about that amount below last years. But the gap had now grown to about £14 a head, a difference nowhere near accounted for by skin values, the report said.
At Gloucester market on Monday, Chris Voyce found good- quality lambs in demand and making 74-78p, with an average of 72.5p or £29.50/head. That was lower than the previous Thursday where they averaged 74p, probably boosted by a shortage the day before.
Thursdays price tempted out more lambs on Friday and prices fell back again, he said. "Prices seem to be holding around the 70p to 74p range. I hope this is the bottom."
Penriths Monday auction saw the lamb average up 5p on the week, to 74p, despite a bigger entry, reports auctioneer Chris Dodds.
David Maunder, of Lloyd Maunder, Devon, and chairman of the British Meat Federations sheep group, said: "Its just more of all the same factors – exports are very tight, Ireland is competing very hard, lamb sales everywhere are subject to market pressures from plentiful supplies of pork and chicken. We are seeing fairly big volumes of lamb going into British retailers."
However, he believes trade is increasingly dominated by special promotions. "They are seen by branch managers as the best way to get customers in and the tills ringing. Somebody has to pay for them."
Mr Maunder said he and his company were very concerned about the impact of current low prices on the ability of sheep producers to survive long term. Without them he would not have a lamb business, he observed. *
Millennium set to boost beef?
MILLENNIUM celebrations could be good news for beef farmers, according to Duncan Sinclair from the MLC. "I think the celebrations will mean an increase in demand for quality beef, it will increase market share and the price could rise to more than £1/kg," he said.
He was confident the £1 mark would be passed in Scotland, probably in the run up to Christmas or even earlier. Until then he thought UK prices would remain at 92-95p/kg but with a premium continuing to be paid for Scottish beef.
As well as increased demand for the festive season, his confidence was based on projected supply figures which indicated a 12.6% drop in the final quarter of this year, following a more modest year on year decline in the third quarter.
Annual consumption would show little change on the year but within the figures there would be a 3% rise in imports to almost 23% of the total. Mr Sinclair forecast that 5000t of British beef would be exported before the end of the year and suggested an export total of 15,000t next year.
National Beef Association chief executive Robert Forster said last weeks price drop of up to 6p/kg dw was due to the latest round of competition among supermarkets.
Mr Sinclair disagreed and claimed loyalty to the home product by retailers was one of the main reasons prices had remained steady.
Wholesalers in Scotland, where there has been a 16p/kg dw premium over English prices in recent weeks, fear a seasonal decline over the next six weeks and some uncertainty in the final quarter.
"There is an urgent need for government to publish final details about the new slaughter premium due to operate from January 1," said Ralph Green of McIntosh Donald. "The premium looks like being worth about £15/head but there is uncertainty about the strength of sterling, retention periods, and scaleback. That needs to be sorted out," he said. *
Disappearing ghost calves
ONCE it was "Herod calves". Now it is "ghost calves". Markets and calf traders up and down the country are reporting that dairy calves, normally coming onto the market in a swelling flood at this time of year, just seem to be disappearing.
Numbers are down at most markets, although the real picture is complicated, because in some cases calf dealers appear to be keeping the numbers artificially high. John Pullin, at Gloucester, said numbers there were higher on Monday, probably because calf dealers, finding they are unable to sell calves on, are dumping them back in the market. One calf trader who normally clearing 250 calves a week, took five the week before last and 35 last week.
Of a total of 105 black-and-white calves sold at Chelford on Monday, six made more than £50 to a top of £84; 11 made £30-£49; seven made £11-29; 11 made £6-110; and the remaining 70 sold for £5 or less.
Auctioneer Roy Waller said there is much producers could do to improve value. "Typically, one vendor sold 10 to average £43. Farmers seem to have forgotten how to produce a good calf for market. Keeping them well for a week before selling can make a lot of difference." *
Who says they dont understand? Roger Birch is about to retire his Simmental cow, Pasture Field Princess, after 10 years of showing, and with 71 first prizes and some 30 championships to their credit. This season, he has been showing a heifer that was beating her. At the Cheshire Show, when the two animals were side-by-side at a presentation, Princess, who has never before put a foot wrong, suddenly seized her opportunity to get even, and uncharacteristically went for the upstart heifer, scattering her and the loaded trophy table in all directions.
Aug 21 Dispersal of Holstein herd (123 head), Aberdeen Angus bull, 3 Limousin x suckler cows and 30 Angus x calves and implements. Abberley, Worcester. Gwilym Richards (01453-521600)
Aug 21 Reduction sale of Woolcombe Valley pedigree Simmentals (51 head). Dorchester. Stags (01884-255533)
Aug 23 Dispersal of Holstein Friesian herd (186 head), Tractors, implements, dairy equipment. Gillingham. Cooper & Tanner (01373-831 010)
Aug 24 Handley Harvest collective sale of quality Holstein calved and in-calf heifers and young cows (109 head). Salisbury. Greenslade Taylor Hunt (01935-423474)
Aug 24 Dispersal sale of Glanrhosfarm Holsteins (150 head). Blaenplwyf, Aberystwyth. Norton & Brooksbank (01285-841333)
Aug 25 Dispersal of Littleport Herd of Holsteins, (224 head), dairy parlour and equipment. Ely. Bruton Knowles (01452-303441)
Aug 25-26 Sale of Texel shearling rams, ram lambs, shearling ewes and ewe lambs. Lanark. (01203-696629)
Aug 25 Dispersal of 56 beef cows with Angus calves, 20 Angus x heifers, 12 Angus x Belgian Blue steers, Angus bull, 42 units of lowland suckler cow quota, and implements. Aylesbury. Southern Counties Auctioneers (01722-321215)
Aug 26 Dispersal of Alesmanor herd of Holstein Friesians (175 head). Chippenham. Alder King (01249-655921)
Aug 26 Combined dispersal, reduction and production sale of 131 Limousin cows, heifers, calves and bulls. Borderway Mart. Harrison & Hetherington (01228-590490)
Aug 27-28 Sale of Texel shearling rams, ram lambs, shearling ewes and ewe lambs. Chelford. (01203-696629)
Aug 27 First of two dispersal sales of JM Trickett Partnership commercial Holsteins (300 head). Harewood, Leeds. Norton & Brooksbank (01285-841333)
Aug 27 Annual show and sale of 99 Charollais sheep, including 93 rams. Borderway Mart. Harrison & Hetherington (01228-590490)
Aug 27 Texel sheep annual show of 514 rams, ram lambs and shearling ewes. Chelford. Marshalls (01625-861122)