February 29, 2012

 

European sow herd shrinks by 4.7% in 2011

 

 

The European sow herd has decreased by 4.7% in 2011, according to the agricultural census data of most European countries for the year ending in December.

 

Some countries have experienced dramatic cutbacks - the Czech Republic is down 19%, Lithuania 16.8% and Slovenia 14.6%.

 

Even big producers like Germany, France and Denmark have all suffered significant falls in sow numbers.

 

Swine numbers in every category of the census are down, from piglets through to finishers. Gilts served for the first time are back by 5%, while gilts not yet covered are down 7%. Finishers with a live weight of 110kgs were down 7.4% in December compared to the previous year.

 

Such figures should give hope to beleaguered UK pig producers who have struggled to cope with recent high feed prices.

 

Although the gap between pig prices and feed costs is still too wide, recent improvements in the value of the euro have helped to push up the price of imported pig-meat.

 

At a time when domestic red meat supplies are already tight, a further reduction in the availability of pork should help to keep UK beef and lamb prices firm.

 

LAWRIE & Symington sold 10 in-lamb Blackface ewes in Lanark on Saturday (Feb 25) to a top of GBP8000 (US$12,735) and an average of GBP2328 (US$3706).

 

Taking home that hefty cheque was Ewen McMillan, The Lurg, Fintry, while the successful bid came from the partnership of John Harkin, Loughash, Northern Ireland, John Finlay, Blackcraig, Newton Stewart, and Alec Blackwood, Greenside, Muirkirk.

 

In-lamb Blackface gimmers sold to a top of GBP3200 (US$5094) for one from Mary McCall Smith, Connachan, Creiff, that was knocked down to J Campbell & Sons, Succoth, Strachur, Argyll. The 40 gimmers levelled at GBP868.88 (US$1383).

 

Wallets Marts had 572 store cattle forward at their fortnightly sale in Castle Douglas yesterday (Feb 28).

 

Bullocks sold to 268.3p per kg and averaged 226.5p (+7p on the previous sale), while heifers peaked at 260.6p and levelled at 211.4p (+7p).

 

There were also 43 OTM cattle that averaged 130.6p.

 

John Swan sold 53 prime bullocks in St Boswells yesterday to average 207.8p (+2.8p on the week), while 81 prime heifers levelled at 202.3p (-1.8p).

 

In the rough ring there were 59 beef-type OTM cattle that averaged 155.3p (+6.2p).

 

The firm also sold 1736 prime hogs to average 197.4p (-3.1p), while 586 cast ewes levelled at GBP76.46 (US$122) (+GBP5.95 (US$9.48)).

 

Craig Wilson sold 2062 prime hogs at Ayr yesterday (Feb 28) to a top of GBP105 (US$167) per head and 237.5p per kg to average 197.4p (+1.5p).

 

There were also 566 cast sheep forward that included a plainer show of ewes resulting in a lower average price.

 

Heavy ewes sold to GBP138 (US$220) for Texels and averaged GBP82.84, while light ewes peaked at GBP82 (US$130) for Blackfaces and levelled at GBP60.50 (US$96.34).