View from the rostrum: Demand is unprecedented

Mark Lee looks ahead on dairy stock prices.

clock • 1 min read
View from the rostrum: Demand is unprecedented

Mark Lee looks ahead on dairy stock prices.

The first quarter of 2023has been one of ourbusiest ever.


We have seen continual demand for dairystock of all ages and across allparts of the country with morethan 2,000 head sold via ourfarm-to-farm trading in Januaryalone.


Initial concerns over a shortageof forage in the southern half ofthe country seem to have had littleeffect on demand, despite even thelate and wet spring weather.

Even the more recent reductions in milk price have not,as yet, reduced cattle trade as wewould normally expect.


Instead, it seems the unprecedented cull prices are pulling largenumbers of cows from herds, withfarmers eager to replace themwith younger or fresher milkersand, while there is no doubt pricesfor fresh heifers have eased slightly from the highs of the start of theyear, they still remain a veryhealthy trade.

All eyes now turn tofuture milk prices as we movetowards the summer.

My own thoughts (and hopes) are that theywill quickly recover as milk buyersrealise the spring flush may not
materialise as feared.


I would urge processors to consider the combined effects of lowmilk prices, shortage of forage andcurrent high cull prices.


We may quickly find ourselvesshort of cows, short of milk and,consequently, in a quick turnaround in farmgate price as supplyfalls away.


One thing is for certain is thatwhile the meat market remainsat this level (and it shows no signof abating), prices for dairywill always be underpinnedand the demand for herdreplacements will continue.

Mark Lee

Mark Lee is auctioneer at Nortonand Brooksbank. Call 07980924179 or email [email protected]

NEW AND REFURBISHED MILK TANKS

NEW AND REFURBISHED MILK TANKS

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

Ice Builders plate coolers refurbished bulk milk tanks

Ice Builders plate coolers refurbished bulk

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

More on Shows & Sales

 Auction mart sales round-up: Simmental record at Worcester, Aberdeen-Angus to 32,500gns online and store cattle to £4,020 at Bishops Castle

Auction mart sales round-up: Simmental record at Worcester, Aberdeen-Angus to 32,500gns online and store cattle to £4,020 at Bishops Castle

A round-up of this week's livestock sales, including Cirencester, Market Drayton, Skipton and Darlington marts

clock 07 May 2025 • 11 min read
Averages up for all breeds at Stirling bull sale

Averages up for all breeds at Stirling bull sale

Charolais dominated the May multi-breed bull sale at Stirling with a 90% clearance and a top price of 30,000gns, a record price for the event

Lynsey Clark
clock 07 May 2025 • 5 min read
Limousin bulls peak at 45,000gns at Carlisle for reserve champion

Limousin bulls peak at 45,000gns at Carlisle for reserve champion

The British Limousin Cattle Society sale at Carlisle topped at 45,000gns for the reserve senior champion, Ampertaine Upfront

clock 07 May 2025 • 2 min read