HHLE Property Matters Autumn Winter 21 - Flipbook - Page 29
The Livestock
Market…
Livestock marketing looks like a walk in the park at
the minute, demand is strong, confidence is high, and
values continue to defy gravity despite the chaos that
surrounds us, lack of workforce, lack of fuel and all the
other issues that we are led to believe are a result of
Brexit and the pandemic.
It is difficult to explain just exactly why the demand for
our livestock is where it is, but this is no flash in the pan,
and nor should it be. The quality of livestock produced
in the British Isles and the high welfare and husbandry
standards that our producers are working to deserves to
be rewarded.
The UK is not alone in this apparent price spike,
the southern hemisphere is experiencing the same
phenomenon. Cattle and sheep prices in Australia and
New Zealand are breaking records every week, so we
should have little to fear from the threat of Boris’ new
global trade deals in the short term.
As we navigate our way through the busy Autumn sales
calendar our sellers are enjoying unprecedented returns
for their livestock in a competitive marketplace where
supply and demand is the pressure gauge. Breeding
sheep averages have been frequently 15-20% ahead of
last year’s values, finished cattle around 8% up, store
cattle 10-15% in
front and prime
Scott Donaldson
sheep are at least
Managing Director
15% up on the
Harrison & Hetherington
scottd@borderway.com
year, astounding
T: 01228 406230
considering not
so long ago
the politicians were discussing welfare schemes for
unwanted lamb following Brexit! It’s just as well the
auction markets remained operational throughout
lockdown; things might have been different if that
competitive environment had been shut down.
However, the reality of the situation hits home when
the order for fertilizer goes in or the feed bill lands on
the kitchen table or God forbid, its time to change a
tractor. The headline prices look fantastic, but costs are
rocketing. The fact is that the industry is using a huge
amount more cash to generate little or no more income,
there is no doubt that the stakes are higher.
It cannot be denied that the livestock market is
extremely healthy, let’s hope it remains so and that
we can encourage the next generation to continue to
produce the highest standard of quality livestock and
keep the people of the UK buying British.
Property Matters
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