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In week ended 5th January, the deadweight prime cattle average price levelled on the week at 365.0p/kg. read more

As domestic lamb continues to compete with increased volumes of cheaper imports and demand remains subdued, DW lamb prices eased in week ended 5th January. read more

World prices eased back towards the end of 2012 although remained at levels comparable to the same period in 2011. read more

Having shot to record levels during September and October, GB finished pig prices continued to rise in November and early December, albeit more slowly. read more

The GB weekly average price rose by £4.63/t to £227.93/t and the free-buy average fell by £4.45/t to £330.74/t. read more

Mid-January saw the release of much-anticipated information from the USDA in the form of world supply and demand estimates, US winter wheat plantings, final 2012 production estimates and quarterly stocks. read more

The USDA data set a bearish tone for oilseed markets with upward revisions to US and Brazilian crops. read more

UK malting barley export prices are at €245/t FOB (spring, South Coast) w/e 11th April. read more

The latest National Statistics produced by Defra on the activity of UK hatcheries and poultry slaughterhouses. read more

USDA’s latest quarterly stocks report, released on 28th September, estimated US maize stocks (at 1st September) at 25.1m t, down 12% on the same point in 2011 and the lowest since 2004. read more

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PAPERS

Odds Farm Park in Wooburn Common is celebrating its first ever birth of kid goat quadruplets. Born on Sunday, the boy and three girl Golden Guernsey goats have been named Tiny Tim, Betsy, Bonnie and Barbie. The birth comes almost three years after mum Estera was born on Easter Sunday, 2008. The Golden Guernsey is a rare breed of goat from the Bailiwick of Guernsey on the Channel Islands. Proud mum and cute quads are now on show in the undercover barns for visitors to see. Clare Middleton, livestock manager, said: “Estera gave birth on Sunday evening and did extremely well as she had all four kids on her own without the need of help from the farmers. She is a very good mother and the kids are settling in well to life on the farm.” The farm has various Easter activities on offer until April 25, including an ’Easter Bunny Trail’ and opportunities for kids to bottle feed lambs. See www.oddsfarm.co.uk for details.

Confidence appears to be returning to Welsh farming after 15 years in the doldrums. Livestock numbers are climbing and market prices are hitting new highs in the beef and sheep sectors. In recent weeks prime hogget prices have climbed to a jaw-dropping 290p/kg, lambs have soared past 300p/kg and cull ewes have headed towards an astonishing £150-a-head. In the beef sector, UK prices broke through the 300p/kg barrier for the first time last week. This return to marketplace sanity has already begun fuelling industry confidence in Wales. According to the December 2010 Survey of Agriculture, the Welsh sheep flock grew 1% in 2010 to 5.4m, arresting a long-term slide. And while the Welsh cattle herd remained at just over 1.1m, there was a 4% increase in calf numbers, with nearly 240,000 beef calves registered with the British Cattle Movement Service. In the pig sector, numbers jumped 22% to 27,000 head.“The figures suggests that confidence within the sector is growing and that farmers are responding to market signals,” said John Richards, industry information officer at Hybu Cig Cymru, the Welsh meat promotion body. “Improved market prices could show young entrants to the farming industry that there is a sustainable future for agriculture in Wales.” This week’s prices were slightly down on the week but producers were pushing stock through markets to take advantage of the price bonanza.