SUMMARY
SUMMARY
Milk market crystal ball cloudy on price
Confusion reigns in the milk market with no clear picture as to where prices are heading. Some companies are maintaining prices, one has increased payments, and others are expected to make cuts……..p22
Egypt opens to beef
Beef markets in Egypt have reopened, nearly a year after EU beef was banned because of concerns over BSE. It is a big relief to the Irish and could take some pressure off English trade, but tough conditions have to be met………………..p24
Looks good for malting
Hopes are high for a good season of malting barley exports – one merchant has secured a record 25,000t delivery of Optic to South Africa. But the spring barley market is still slow to get going……………..p24
Partner yes, process no
Farmers are often encouraged to forge alliances further up the food chain. Partnerships are a good thing, says one senior economist, but questions the wisdom of dairy co-ops that want to become processors……………………..p25
No alternative
Tricks from the malting trade have stirred emotion at our adopted Scottish farm, Tirinie. Ian Duncan Millar says he would give up the crop tomorrow if he had an alternative to turn to………………………….p26
Red tape collection
Collection centres for store cattle and calves have got the green light from DEFRA at last. But auctioneers say there is too much red tape and a lot of leg work to organise sales, for little reward………………p30