Farming

Auction markets see a surge in new season lambs

Published

8 years ago

July 14, 2017

INCREASED numbers of new season lambs have entered the market this year, with 22% more lambs sold at Welsh auction markets between March and the end of June compared to the same period in 2016.

In England, the figure was even higher at 26%. This can be attributed to a favourable growing season and improved market prices encouraging producers to sell their lambs earlier.

For the latest week ending July 1, the new season lamb SQQ at auction markets in Wales stood at 207.5p/kg, a decrease of 15p on the previous week’s average. Despite the latest fall, the level seen is 19p above the average for the corresponding week in 2016.

John Richards, Industry Information Executive at Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) said: “Lamb prices over the last month have been significantly stronger than those during the same period last year. This is linked to the weaker Sterling which has led to UK exports bringing better returns to our exporters, with the benefits subsequently felt by producers here in Wales. We also saw less of last year’s lamb on the market during June, which also helped the trade.

“The numbers of lambs sold weighing between 32-39kg increased by almost a third. The pattern is even more evident at English auction markets as reports show that throughputs were more than 50% higher in this weight category than in the same four month period last year.”

He added: “The liveweight lamb trade in Wales held up at historically high levels for much of June, but prices have eased slightly in the last few weeks to match the expected seasonal trend.”

Looking forward, it is expected that all the domestic supermarkets will switch to stocking UK lamb over the coming weeks. This may improve demand while the export market is expected to remain resilient due to the favourable exchange rate.

“These factors should have a positive impact on the market, however, as always, the supply of lambs will dictate price fluctuations,” said John Richards. “The coming month will give us a better understanding of the true market situation. Last year the market was significantly affected due to the EU referendum in late June which caused Sterling to fall dramatically.”

For the latest week ending July 1, the new season lamb SQQ at auction markets in Wales stood at 207.5p/kg, a decrease of 15p on the previous week’s average. The latest price is some 35p below the average seen the fortnight before. Despite the latest fall, the level seen is 19p above the average for the corresponding week last year.

The deadweight lamb trade improved during early June but has come back in the last week however the latest price is significantly higher than the level seen last year. For the week ending June 24, the GB deadweight lamb price stood at 487.4p/kg, a fall of 22p on the previous week. It is reported that the deadweight trade has followed the liveweight prices and as such it is expected that the average price will be back again during the week ended July 1.

At the current levels prices are almost 75p above the deadweight price seen during the same week in 2016 which was pre-EU referendum and as such the strength of Sterling caused some difficulties for UK exporters.

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

13 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been found not guilty of breaching a restraining order after being accused of referencing a protected individual in a Facebook post.

Philip Stoddart, 58, of Monkhill Farm, St Ishmaels, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 20) to face the charge. The prosecution, led by Ann Griffiths on behalf of the crown, alleged that between December 4 and December 13, 2023, Stoddart made a Facebook post that, by inference, referred to a person he was prohibited from contacting under a restraining order imposed by Swansea Crown Court on April 16, 2021.

The restraining order, issued under Section 360 of the Sentencing Act 2020, barred Stoddart from making any form of contact with her.

Prosecutors argued that the Facebook post constituted a breach of the order, contrary to Section 363 of the same act.

Stoddart denied the allegations and entered a not guilty plea during a prior hearing on October 1, 2024.

Magistrates Professor N. Negus, Mr. J. Steadman, and Mrs. J. Morris presided over the trial, which concluded on Monday.

After reviewing the evidence, the bench found Stoddart not guilty, dismissing the case.

The dismissal brings to a close legal proceedings that had been ongoing for over a year.

Farming

Get up to £5,000 for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

16 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FARMERS in Wales are being called to apply for the next round of funding for on-farm trials.

The Farming Connect initiative, which has funded projects such as growing lucerne in Brecon, is inviting applications for the Try Out Fund.

The new application window opens on January 27, 2025, and will run until February 17.

Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund trials that experiment with new ideas on their farms.

The last round of funding supported several projects, including integrated pest management at a pick-your-own strawberry enterprise.

Menna Williams, the Farming Connect project lead, said: “Farming Connect has developed the Try Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment.”

She added: “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.”

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

Ms Williams said: “Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100 per cent effort right from the start.”

Projects should focus on enhancing production efficiencies and profitability while ensuring environmental protection through adherence to sustainable land management principles.

A guidance handbook is accessible on the Farming Connect website, providing support for farmers in outlining their projects and completing the application process.

To apply, individuals must be registered with Farming Connect and capable of finishing their projects by January 2026.

Ms Williams explained: “Funding can be used for technical assistance, sampling, testing and other reasonable expenses such as those relating to short-term hire of specialist equipment or facilities directly relating to the project.”

The findings will be shared with other producers in Wales by collaborating with a Farming Connect team member.

Interested parties can apply on the Farming Connect website.

To receive the link or get further information, contact [email protected].

Farming

Funding window to re-open for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

16 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

WITH Farming Connect-funded trials ranging from growing lucerne in Brecon to establishing sunflowers as a companion crop with maize, farmers are being invited to apply for the next round of funding from the initiative that brought these projects to life.

The new application window for the Try Out Fund opens on 27January2025 and will run until 17 February. Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund on-farm trials that experiment with new ideas. The last round of funding saw farmers supported for several projects including integrated pest management at pick your own strawberry enterprise.

Project lead Menna Williams of Farming Connect said the aim is for farmers to compare different treatments or management systems – the project is not intended to fund new equipment she stressed.

“Farming Connect has developed the Try-Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment,’’ she said. “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.’’

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

“Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100% effort right from the start,’’ said Ms Williams.

Suitable projects must aim to improve production efficiencies and profitability whilst protecting the environment by aligning with sustainable land management outcomes. A guidance handbook is available on the Farming Connect website to help farmers scope their project and complete the application form.

Applicants must be registered with Farming Connect and be able to complete their projects by January 2026.