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Saturday 4 February 2012
Trade for all types of livestock has improved significantly over the past year, but they’ve a long way to go yet if they are ever to reverse the continual decline in breeding numbers and the industry’s ability to feed a growing population. Instead, the only way forward to boost future supplies and safeguard food security, is to re-introduce “some sort of headage payment.”
Cull cow prices have soared in the past year as consumers both in this country and on the continent seek out cheaper beef.
Pigs met a bit of a roller coaster trade in 2011, and the same could be true for this coming year as European producers get to grips with either complying with the new sow stall and tether ban to be implemented on January 1, 2013, or opting out of pig production altogether.
With average deadweight steer prices in Scotland having reached a peak of 349.1p kg at the beginning of December, the Scottish average has since dropped to 347.5p for the week ending December 17, while the average for heifers sold in such abattoirs has fallen from 346.2p at the end of November to 345.5p.
Continued strong lamb prices could be masking inefficiencies in lowland breeding flocks, meaning producers are not achieving the returns they could under current buoyant market conditions.
CHRISTMAS SHOWS and sales have helped boost the liveweight trade in the past week, with cattle prices considerably higher than the previous week.
A WORLD expert on calf-rearing, Dr Sam Ledley, from New York, told a busy farmers’ meeting in Dumfries, this week, that this was the single most important aspect in an animal’s subsequent health and well being.
LAND VALUES are continuing to rise, but not as fast as earlier in the year, according to research from land agent, Savills.
Despite world wheat prices falling as production estimates rise, there is little if any sign of forage or concentrate feed values abating, following one of the worst Scottish harvests on record.
Dairy farmers that believe increased concentrates combined with straw and fat in feed rations bumps up milk yields and improves margins, have been criticised at this week’ Dairy Event.
Will Defra fight for Scotland in the CAP reform negotiation?
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Will Defra fight for Scotland in the CAP reform negotiation?
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