GETTING HITCHED SPECIAL FEATURE ON TRAILERS AND EQUIPMENT – P64
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THE HEART OF AGRICULTURE
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EASTER BOOST ● Sheep trade commands high prices ● Supplies expected to remain tight By Alex Black
Scots p1 Mar29 KH OM JT.indd 2
PICTURE: WAYNE HUTCHINSON
THERE was a positive mood around the auction rings in the lead up to Easter, owing to high prices, tight numbers and a good demand for lambs. Prices eased back slightly in the last week of trade before Easter, but farmers at marts remained ‘delighted’ with the sums they were achieving for their stock. Iain MacDonald, market intelligence officer at Quality Meat Scotland, said the coming weeks looked ‘positive’ for farmers in terms of price run, although the market in the second quarter could be ‘tight’. He said: “The signals are good, owing in part to last year’s reduced lamb crop, which was down about 6 per cent across the UK. “All the numbers point to fewer lambs being about, but abattoir numbers have so far held up and slaughter figures have been pretty strong. “We have obviously had a lift in the supply for Ramadan, Eid and Easter, but it could mean there will not be a lot of hoggs about for the next couple
Spring lambs have started to come forward, with the best lambs making towards £5/kg.
of months and overall supply could be tight in the second quarter until the new season lambs come into market.” Mr MacDonald said although prices had softened over the past week as the main Easter buying period had passed, preparations for Eid, which takes place on April 10, meant prices were expected to remain fairly stable over the coming weeks.
He said: “There have been some record high prices this year – even above previous new season prices. “This is all good news for the farmer, but maybe not so good for the processor as they have to sell these lambs they have paid a high price for.” Harrison and Hetherington auctioneer James Little agreed prices had eased in the past week.
Spring lambs had also started to come forward, with the best lambs making towards £5/kg. He said: “Demand from both the ethnic community and export seem to be really strong. Other countries either do not have the volumes or have sold it to other markets. It has created a perfect storm. “The mood is as expected, [farmers] are elated with the prices. But they are not stupid; they realise the levels sheep are trading at cannot go on forever. They are enjoying it while it is here.” Mr Little also said he had heard a lot of ‘horror stories’ about spring lambs in the south of England. He said: “If that is the case and numbers do not come out through May and June, the sheep will stay at a good trade. Obviously, it is all dependent on the numbers and what is going to be available.” John Walton, auctioneer at Longtown Mart in Carlisle, said trade had never been so dear for prime hoggs. “It has just eased this week, close to CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
27/03/2024 16:48