Westonvale is top
Prospects for poorer ewes bleak
SECOND quality breeding ewes face a tough trade and many plainer sorts could be worth little more than culls, warn auctioneers.
Good-quality commercial breeding ewes are changing hands for £40 a head, almost £10 down on last year, while poorer sorts are worth just £15 a head, says Mike Credland of Gloucester market.
Entries this year through the market have shown a wide range in quality and prices reflect that. "Good, strong, six to full-mouthed ewes are what people are prepared to pay for, and some of these are being taken for early lambing at £40-45 a piece," he explains.
But the bottom of the market is suffering as producers try to realise more for what are effectively culls. Heavyweight types averaged £23 and lighter sorts £13 on Monday at Gloucester, though this was £2 a head up on daily MLC averages.
Those who held on to older ewes last autumn when prices fell to £25 a head will have seen values continue to fall. "Its not so bad for those who got a crop of lambs off them to get £10-12 for culls now. Its not such a disaster," says Mr Credland.
Trade is likely to remain tough. Income from prime lambs is also tight with an average SQQ of 80p/kg compared with almost 107p/kg last year. This is limiting income to buy replacements.
Also, store lamb finishers saw returns eaten away with many hoggets only clearing a margin of £3-5 a head over the purchase price before feed costs arededucted.
"Given that, I cant see prices topping £50 a piece for the best," comments Mr Credland.
John Roebuck of Mitchells at Cockermouth agrees. Producers will have more ewes to pick from, since many gimmer lambs normally finished could have been held over, he says. "Given the circumstances, nobody is in the mood to shell out for breeding stock. Even where they do, prices are unlikely to top £45."
While many breeding sales will coincide with the first advance of the sheep annual premium (worth £5.14/ewe of an expected £16 total), it may not be enough to bump up bids at the ringside, says Mr Roebuck.
"It may give a lift to go out and buy, but the low lamb price will stay in the back of buyers minds," he warns. *
6p/litre ceiling for milk quota
THE 6p/litre floor for leasing milk quota is becoming the new ceiling as the market absorbs the uncertainty brought about from the Monopolies and Mergers report on raw milk prices.
Over the past fortnight many brokers have been saying that prices will come down to this level, but increasingly reports say that deals are being stuck in the high fives. ADASs Mark Perry says 3.85% quota is being leased at 5.6p/litre, the equivalent of 5.8p/litre for 4% supplies.
"At these prices there is interest from those looking to lease; and those with a lot to lease out are getting some covered now in case the price falls further later in the year," he explains.
Other brokers reports suggest the outlook for lessors "does not look good" following the MMC report and the assumption that forthcoming selling rounds held by Milk Marque could add further to milk price worries.
On the purchase front, the 30p/litre floor is expected to follow suit, according to brokers. By no means exceptional, this weeks trade has seen 3.86% quota sell for 29p/litre, equivalent to 30.05p/litre for 4% quota.
As the number of herd dispersals continues, and the quota market relaxes into what is usually a quiet period, Townsend brokers report trade is now likely to be below 30p/litre as pessimism sets in. *
Reaseheath move finds buyer favour
MOETS move to Reaseheath College, Ches, found favour with buyers at the Next Generation sale at Crewe, taking trade to 3500gns.
But it was an entry from one of the MOET guest consignors that drew the top call when Salop based Brinsea Holsteins, Market Drayton, claimed ownership of Painley Lily Kimo 25.
She is by Etazon Lord Lily and out of a Jabot daughter of the great Inspiration brood cow. With a PIN value of +£128E, she was AId in January to Dupasquier Windstar.
The yearling heifer Holmeden Patty Martha, by Brabant Star Patron made 2500gns. She has a PIN value of +£112 and has two full sisters out of the 15,000kg MOET Manager Martha on evaluation within the MOET scheme.
MOET Besne Cadet, the second calver standing 15th in the top 100 Profitable Lifetime Index list, sold at 2250gns. She is one of five full sisters from the Cadet family to average 13,000kg as a heifer.
(Norton and Brooksbank with Wright-Manley). *
Westonvale is top
A LAMB from the Somerset-based Westonvale flock topped the Charollais sheep trade at Lichfield at 2800gns.
A twin-born shearling from the Cornish Trevadlock flock led the shearling rams at 2000gns. The sales top five shearlings averaged 974gns.
Averages: ram lambs 555gns and shearlings 458gns. (Wintertons with Lawrie and Symington). *
Hawes auctions opening sale of store lambs proved a difficult trade. Mule lambs averaged £16.52 each; Suffolk and Continental Xs £18.57, reports mart manager Raymond Lund. "People who bought stores last year had a difficult trade. And it doesnt look too good today." This weeks trade was almost identical despite a bigger entry.
Jul 24 Dispersal of the Trent Valley herd and reduction of the Beaghall Herd of Simmental cattle (70 head). Newark. United Auctions
(01738-626183)
Jul 24 Sale of vintage tractors, lorries and farm-related bygones. Melton Mowbray (01205-351200)
Jul 26 Annual sale of stock rams (180 head) including Suffolk yearlings, Texels and Charollais. St Asaph. DT Jones (01745-583260)
Jul 26 Dispersal of Dutch Texels including 300 breeding ewes and 300 store lambs, store cattle and machinery. Okehampton. Stags
(01884-255533)
Jul 27 Sale of animal feed equipment including pellet presses, grinders and hammer mills, mixers, bag weighers etc. Driffield. Singletons
(0161-876-0748)
Jul 28 Sale of 5000 breeding and store sheep including Greyface, Suffolk X, half-breds and Continental Xs. Longtown. Cumberland & Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart
(01228-791215)
Jul 29 Sale of the milking portion of the Gamelea herd of Holsteins (78 head). Bakewell. Bagshaws
(01335-342201)
Jul 29/30 Annual show and sale of Suffolk sheep (400 head), predominately pedigree ram lambs. Edinburgh. John Swan & Son
(0131-443-2301)
Jul 29 Dispersal of the Reedbridge herd of Guernseys (142 head) including many young heifers. Salisbury. Southern Counties (01722-321215)
Jul 30 Dispersal of 127 Holstein Friesian cows and followers, Alfa Laval 5000 litre bulk tank, 10/120 parlour and fittings. Lincoln. Shouler & Son (01664-560181)
Jul 30 Collective sale of machinery. Ashford. Hobbs Parker
(01233-502222)
Jul 31 Dispersal of Case and Dexter tractors, grassland and bale kit, and milk tank. Billingshurst. South East Marts (01483-447600)
Jul 31 Sale of contractors plant, equipment and landscape gardening kit. Basingstoke. Thimbleby & Shorland (01189-508611)
Jul 31 Dispersal of machinery and kit including Ford 6600, Dowdeswell plough and Hardi sprayer. Barnsley. Wilbys (01226-299221)
Jul 31 Dispersal of 34 BSE-free dairy stock, pipeline milking equipment, 30 Mule ewes, cow cubicles and grassland kit. Clitheroe. Clitheroe Auction Mart (01200-423325)