Council finds new leaseholder for Carmarthen mart

Nock Deighton, which runs the successful Newcastle Emlyn livestock market, has won the tender to run the mart, located in Nantyci.

The company is set to make a substantial initial investment in upgrading the facilities, and intends to create 19 local jobs and work for local auctioneers.

The mart, previously operated by BJP Marts, is seen as a traditional and prominent fixture in Carmarthenshire’s agricultural industry.

David Jenkins, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for Resources, said it was an ‘important element’ of the local rural economy.

“We are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to Nock Deighton,” he said, “The company has a long history, a great track record of running large livestock markets.

“The company is an excellent fit for Carmarthen Mart and we look forward to a long and successful association with them as we move the mart forward.”

 

 

by Farming UK

Cattle hide prices stronger for now, sheep skins still weak

The hide market was hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic, with the Italian tannery sector all but closing temporarily. Hide prices fell the world over. Reports suggest Chinese buyers took the opportunity to upgrade on quality, albeit at the same or lower prices.

Data from the Sauer Report indicates that the situation has since improved, although the market may now be facing some headwinds. Although hide prices have recovered from last year’s lows, further increases may be more difficult, despite the lower UK kill restricting domestic supplies. Recent price rises have been supported by Italian buyers apparently replenishing stocks, and so it is not clear if further rises are sustainable.

Not limited to their effect on hides and skins, rising freight prices are adding to difficulties exporting a range of products to China. This is particularly challenging where the margins have already been particularly narrow, as in the case of hides in recent months.

Reports indicate that US demand for imported leather products has been sluggish, but we can only hope that some pent up demand caused by the pandemic will be unleashed as lockdowns ease further.

Sheep skin prices remain very much in the doldrums, again according to the Sauer Report, with abattoirs still being charged between 50p and £1 per skin to have green skins taken away.

 

 

BY Duncan Wyatt / AHDB

Liveweight lamb prices on the rise

Both old season and new season liveweight lamb prices have increased during the past week. In the week ending 5 May, the GB Liveweight OSL SQQ prices increased 6.6p on the week to average 296.41p/kg. Prices are up 89p when compared to the same week in 2020.

Liveweight NSL SQQ prices averaged 358.72p/kg for the week ending 5 May, an increase of 11.1p on the previous week and 101p on the same week last year.

Throughputs at British auction markets for the week totalled 100,300 head, up 10,800 head (12%) on the previous week. New season lambs are coming forward earlier this year than last year and accounted for 30% of total auction market throughputs in the last week. This is likely to be due to the high prices encouraging lambs to finished earlier on farm; processors keen to source them, with lower numbers of old season lambs apparently available.

Deadweight lamb prices dropped back during the last week. For the week ending 1 May, GB deadweight OSL SQQ averaged 644.3p/kg, down 29.9p on the previous week. Prices are currently up by 171p on the same week of the previous year and 181p higher than the five-year-average. The GB deadweight NSL SQQ averaged 685.8p/kg, down 0.8p on the previous week.

Total throughputs for the week ending 1 May are estimated at 129,200 head, down 39% the same week a year ago. This is partly due to the Bank holiday reducing killing days for some abattoirs.

Cull ewes averaged £104.79/head liveweight, in the week ending 5 May, an increase £6.75 on the previous week. Cull ewe throughput in auction markets was 36,500 head for the week.

 

 

By Charlie Reeve / AHDB

ABP takeover ‘further erodes competition’ in meat processing sector

ABP’s full takeover of Slaney Meats and ICM has been described as “a further erosion of competition” in the processing sector, by IFA president Tim Cullinan.

It was confirmed today that Larry Goodman-owned ABP has “reached agreement in principle” with Fane Valley Co-op to acquire the remaining 50pc holding in its red meat business including: Linden Foods in Northern Ireland; and Slaney Foods and Irish Country Meats businesses in the Republic. The businesses operated as an ABP / Fane Valley joint venture for the last five years.

In a statement the farm leader said “this consolidation of buying power for livestock in the hands of a few” must to be addressed by Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and the Consumer Protection and Competition Commission (CPCC).

“This latest move renews the urgency for the minister to implement the primary legislation to provide the office of the food regulator with the powers necessary to investigate and enforce at all levels throughout the supply-chain.

“Returns to livestock farmers must be maximised from the market place. In order to achieve this, it’s critical we have full transparency on margins throughout the process.

 

By Faming Independent

Deadweight cattle prices up yet again

GB finished cattle prices have continued to climb in the latest week. In the week ending 1 May, the GB all prime average stood at 407.3p/kg, up 1.1p on the week before. This puts the measure 87p above the same week last year when prices had fallen sharply, and 67.6p above five-year average.  

Estimated slaughter for the week totalled 34,000 head, up 3.5% (1,200 head) on the previous week, but virtually unchanged (-0.3%) compared to the same week last year.

Looking at retail volumes, GB household beef purchases continue to hold their ground. While retail volumes sold dropped back 4.7% year-on-year in the 12 weeks to 18 April, this is compared to the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, with total beef volumes actually lifting 11% compared to the same period two years ago.

However, as we continue to come out of lockdown and foodservices begin to re-open, some of this demand will undoubtedly shift back out of home, which could lessen demand for British cattle. The impact of this on GB prices is yet to be seen.

Price increases were seen across all prime categories expect young bulls, down 1.5p on the previous week, while R4L steers saw the largest increase (+2.5p) to average 418.4p/kg.

GB deadweight prime cattle price movements (w/e 1 May):

  • All prime: 407.3p/kg up 1.1p
  • Steers (overall): 408.2p/kg up 1.8p
  • Steers (R4L): 418.4p/kg up 2.5p
  • Heifers (overall): 407.3p/kg up 0.7p
  • Young bulls (overall): 399.6p/kg down -1.5p

 

By Bronwyn Magee /AHDB

Ballymoney: Plans for a new £75m pork processing plant

Plans have been submitted for a new £75m pork processing plant in Ballymoney, County Antrim.

The company behind the proposal is Bannside Foods – a new name in the pork industry.

The proposed site is the former home of the Lovell and Christmas bacon factory, which burned down in 1998.

The proposed factory will process cull sows – there is no dedicated facility for that process in Northern Ireland.

Currently farmers have to export them to Britain, the Republic of Ireland or into Europe.

Johann Muldoon, the project’s architect, said it was an ambitious plan, which could create hundreds of jobs.

“It will future proof an industry that has been hard hit in the last number of years plus any new jobs should be welcomed,” she said.

“One of the key concerns with Brexit was the access to migrant labour – this plant will see changes to the nature of that and will link in to apprenticeships and training in the tech side of business, but there will be the other side of things that are less tech savvy.

“There’ll be 350 to 400 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect jobs – it’s certainly a big project.”

Glenn Cuddy, the chair of the Ulster Farmer’s Union Pork and Bacon Committee, said having a local processor will make things easier for him.

“It’ll mean more competition in the market for pigs,” said Mr Cuddy, who keeps 300 sows at his farm in County Tyrone.

“There’s always problems moving sows – our sows usually have to go across the water into the mainland, or else to the Republic, and with borders and all there’s always problems, so it’s welcome news that there might be a plant that could do cull sows in the future.”

A 12-week public consultation on the plans is ongoing.

 

 

By Elaine Mitchell / BBC

ABP acquires Slaney Foods and Irish Country Meats

ABP announced today that it is to acquire the remaining 50% holding in Fane Valley Co-Op’s red meat business which includes Linden Foods in Northern Ireland and Slaney Foods and Irish Country Meats businesses in the Republic of Ireland.

The deal is subject to approval by the relevant regulatory and competition authorities and the businesses will continue to operate under their respective trading names for the foreseeable future.

“This development is the direct result of our successful joint venture arrangement, which has enabled all parties to improve their offerings to customers and to compete more effectively nationally and internationally, Frank Stephenson, Chief Executive of ABP said.

“The time is now right to build on this success ensuring that we continue to be a dynamic and innovative organisation as we face into the challenges of operating in a very competitive global marketplace; whilst also addressing the ongoing challenges of changing agricultural policies, Brexit and Covid-19.”

IFA, meanwhile, says the full takeover by ABP is “further erosion of competition in the processing sector”.

 

 

by Aisling Kiernan / Irish Examiner

Chilled food exporters ‘given up’ on sending product to the EU

Chilled food exporters have given up on trying to send product to the EU because of ‘kafkaesque’ red tape, an industry expert has claimed.

Karin Goodburn, director general of the Chilled Food Association, warned businesses were dealing with ‘archaic paperwork’ and ‘Byzantine process’ in trying to sell on the continent.

The requirement for food products to have an Export Health Certificate to enter the EU is slowing trade down considerably, with vets taking three or four hours to sign just one.

With 89,000 EHCs issued this year – a hundred times higher than the 806 last year – this equates to 21,000 eight hour days.

Speaking during an evidence session of the UK Trade and Business Commission, set up by internationalist campaign group Best for Britain, Ms Goodburn said: “Nobody is trying to send anything across the Channel at the moment in my sector, because there is not enough time left on the shelf life to sell the product at the other end of the system.”

Nick Allen, chief executive of the British Meat Processors Association, told the Commission UK meat exporters were now having to spend an extra £1,000 to send a lorry through a port.

He also said smaller exporters were struggling with the ‘monster of a system’, with 29 different processes to follow, and claimed they would give up unless current checks are simplified.

 

 

By Abi Kay / Farmers Guardian

Pork industry joins forces with European food companies in threatening to boycott Brazilian products due to land reforms

A group of around 40 major food companies and representative organisations have joined forces in issuing a warning to the Brazilian Government over controversial land reforms.

The letter, signed by the NPA, leading UK pork processors Cranswick and Pilgrim’s UK, various UK retailers, Red Tractor, the Agricultural Industries Confederation and other major food companies across Europe, warns that the European businesses will stop sourcing products like soya from the country if it presses ahead with the legislation.

The letter has generated a significant amount of publicity today, including featuring prominently in BBC news and online, which the signatories hope will increase the pressure on Brazil.

It calls on the Brazil Government to reject a bill that would allow land that has been illegally occupied after 2014 to be put up for sale. This would potentially allow illegal occupants to buy it, which the signatories fear could result in an increase in deforestation for the purposes of raising beef cattle or growing soya, in both cases, primarily for export.

A similar letter was sent last year, ahead of the expected introduction of the bill, but the legislation was withdrawn.

The letter urges the Brazilian government to reconsider its proposal. “We were heartened by your previous decision to withdraw the proposal before it was brought to the floor,” it says.

 

 

 

by Alistair Driver / Pig World

Global pig production slowed by herd health and supply issues – Rabobank

The growth of global pig production is set to be slowed by a range of factors, including the resurgence of Africa swine fever (ASF) in Asia, higher feed costs and the impact of COVID-19 on demand, according to Rabobank.

Pig prices are sharply higher in most markets, as processors scramble to find adequate supplies, according the food and agriculture specialist bank.

In its latest quarterly pork update Rabobank analysts highlight how the combination of rising herd health challenges, rising costs, and demand uncertainty due to ongoing pandemic disruption have pressured margins, adding risk to global pork markets.

In China, herd losses due to new ASF outbreaks and health challenges are slowing the recovery.

While below earlier expectations, the sow herd is flat vs. 2020 and will expand through year-end as restocking efforts continue, Rabobank predicts.

Even with a projected production increase, China remains in a pork deficit and will continue to import large volumes of pork – pork imports were up 22% YOY in the first three months of this year at 1.43m tonnes. Demand is weak due to the pandemic and high relative pork prices at retail.

The Philippines has also suffered higher than expected herd losses due to ASF this year, while PRRS and PEDv are contributing to a supply shortfall in the US and Mexico, and the re-emergence of classical swine fever (CSF) in Japan and Brazil is also affecting production.

 

by Alistair Driver / Pig World

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