Farm Business

Tight supplies are supporting beef prices, but increases may be limited by poor processor returns.

Lamb prices remain above those of last year, although values have weakened a little in recent weeks.

At a time when there is huge demand for sustainable, natural materials, it seems counter-intuitive that one of the most traditional and long established of natural fibres, wool, finds its price languishing and farmers composting or burning fleeces after shearing.

The UK faces a dizzying cocktail of two crises and a challenge hitting simultaneously. Just one of these would be a real test for any Government or nation, but the dark brew of all three will be bitter, says Labour Shadow Defra Secretary Luke Pollard.

Dominic Cummings is the only man who believes a no-deal Brexit in the middle of a pandemic is a good idea, says Hywel Davies, who is a partner at Cyfreithwyr Llys Cennen Solicitors and helps his parents run the Aman flock of pedigree Texel sheep, the 2018 Champion Flock of Wales.

All four nations need to work together as partners to ensure the UK internal market continues to function, and devolution is respected, says Ben Lake, MP for Ceredigion and Plaid Cymru’s agriculture spokesman in Westminster.

Leaving the EU and its stringent ‘farming by calendar’ rules gives the UK an opportunity to improve farm safety, says County Armagh beef farmer John Henning.

The union is the cornerstone of the UK’s prosperity and influence, and keeping it together will be vital for the future prosperity of our farmers, says Robert Largan, MP for High Peak.

Dawn Meats has announced it will take ‘full control’ of its joint venture with Dunbia following the news of co-founder Jim Dobson’s retirement.

Sainsbury’s has been accused of market manipulation after it told its dairy farmers to use two specific Aberdeen-Angus bulls for 20 per cent of all beef calves born on-farm in a 12-month period.