James Amphlett on beef and sheep trade.
As we move in to the summer months, finished lambs are definitely becoming more and more abundant nationally.
Demand has again been very strong through the early part of the year, with those producers lambing early and pushing their lambs hard to get them to market, being rewarded with some strong prices.
Of course, with the price of feed increasingly going up, the lambs need to stay a good price to make sure that the job is viable.
However, what we must not forget is that the end product cannot be too expensive as it will price itself out of the consumers shopping trolleys if it sits too dear against other food sources.
Producers must make sure if they are selling lambs in the fat market, that they supply them well finished, as there have been several to many half-meated lambs being sold, when they perhaps should be marketing them more as stores.
This will lead to a more productive trade for all types of lambs as the season goes on.
Although it was noticeable through the spring bull sales that people were being more cautious with their money, which is completely understandable considering the times that we are currently in, some strong averages and clearances were obtained and all sales left many breeders feeling optimistic.
The Welsh spring Limousin show and sale at Brecon market produced a centre record price of 17,000gns, along with other several other high prices, an 85 per cent clearance rate and an average of 4,381/head.
Another success has been the British Simmental Cattle Society spring sale at Worcester, which attracted an increased entry and some quality bulls on offer.
Again, a good clearance was obtained and a strong average over 4,000/head.
I hope this trend continues as we move into the pedigree sheep sale season through summer and into autumn.
As ever, we will be hosting many large national sales at Worcester and look forward to welcoming everybody.
In a lot of ways, it has just been nice to return to some sort of normal - if you can call it that - after the two-year break.
Everybody seems much happier to be back out competing against friends and rivals, whether it be at sales or shows.
It has been a tough period and so many people will be glad to be back out at the summer sheep sales and summer shows.
A lot of farmers spend many tough days isolated or on their own and for them to be able to keep coming to these public events will always be extremely important.
Overall, things in the sheep and beef sector still look reasonably positive and although things will undoubtedly get more difficult at upcoming points, if we can all continue to work together to create a sensible and sustainable level in the supply chain, then hopefully we will all be able to continue to trade and all have some fun along the way.
James Amphlett
James Amphlett is an auctioneer at McCartneys, Worcester and Ludlow markets. Call 01905 769770, or email [email protected].
