Early breeding sales show positivity

A rather full-on week. We made it to the Great Yorkshire Show and what a show it has been. My Suffolks held their own, and I was delighted to be placed second with my ewe.

The weather has been kind and the standard of stock tremendous. It was the Shorthorn National and what a showcase for the breed, especially the cow and calf class. This was poignant, with this being one of the last shows before Frank Milnes, the Shorthorn secretary, retires.

Trade for Suffolks was keen at both Longtown and Carlisle last Friday, with top prices of 13,000gns and 6,500gns and good clearance rates. A new Berrichon record of 3,500gns was also set at Worchester. Early sheep breeding sales seem fairly positive but the big store lamb sales kick-off this week, which are always a good indicator of the longer term view of sheep trade.

In the prime rings, tighter numbers are keeping prices fairly bouyant and dairy farmers must be feeling a bit more optimistic, as the lift in dairy prices seems to be consistent across the country.

Some sales coming up this next week

Friday, July 15 - Pentland Livestock is running a major retiral auction of tractors, vehicles and miscellaneous items on behalf of J. Logan Milne (Brechin) Ltd, Scott Street, Angus, DD9 7BG.