Hogg and cull cow prices soar
A range of factors including rising beef demand, tumbling milk prices and religious festivals have seen hogget and cull cow prices soar.
The convergence of Easter and Ramadan has provided a boost for the hogget trade, with auctioneers reporting prices were ‘as dear’ as they have ever seen.
Ted Ogden, auctioneer at Skipton mart, said there has been a significant increase in the prices paid over the past month.
He said: “Ramadan is not the only driver. Two or three weeks ago Easter was a major driver too.
“When there were concerns in January I said the convergence of Easter and Ramadan this year had the potential to change things. That has proved true.”
Lawrie and Symington auctioneer Archie Hamilton highlighted the swing in prices from the beginning of the year.
He said: “They were 46p/kg above this week last year on Monday. We have gone from being around 40p/kg below to as much above.”
He said the religious festivals were only part of the story.
“A lot of the supermarkets need sheep. The second load they were expecting of New Zealand lamb did not come in. All those supermarkets now have had to go back to buying British.
“This is all at a time of year when the numbers are at the lowest.”
Alex Black | Farmers Guardian
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