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The organic meat and livestock market in Wales: archive

March 2012

Nigel Elgar reports

Organic lamb and beef supplies continue to be short despite rises in price and one supermarket using New Zealand lamb imports. However, the agreement between Graig Producers and Dunbia has worked in securing minimum volumes of organic lamb destined for Sainsbury's.
In a sector that in theory should be awash with product it is clear that strategic planning and co-operation with independent producer groups can secure supplies and is the sustainable way forward for everyone in the chain. Organic meat forms a very small part of processors and the supermarkets business albeit an important one, but if supplies are to be maintained then we need to see a more transparent and co-operative approach to procurement along the lines of the arrangement between Graig and Dunbia.
www.graigproducers.co.uk

Beef price data: (2010-2012)




Organic from Graig Producers, conventional is a simple average of HCC published “Average Weekly GB Deadweight Price – Steers”

Lamb price data (2010-2012)





Organic from Graig Producers, conventional is a simple average of HCC published “Average Weekly GB Deadweight Price - Lambs SQQ”


For full details of the advantages of membership, including great savings on inputs, contact Graig Producers on 01597 851811.


Organic Livestock Auctions

Welshpool Livestock Sales' next organic auction will be 10th April 2012. Call 01938 553438 for details.

Carmarthen Livestock Centre holds regular organic auctions on the first Friday of the month. Call 01267 236268 or Huw Evans on 07976 328177 for details or e-mail carmarthen@auctionmarts.com.

McCartneys will hold a joint auction for organic and in conversion livestock on 30th March and 27th April at Brecon Market. Regular organic auctions are held on the last Friday of the month. Call 01874 622386 for details.

Organic price information
More livestock price information can be found at http://www.soilassociation.org

February 2012

Nigel Elgar reports

Finished beef in general is in short supply and store cattle numbers are down reflecting the reduction in breeding cow numbers of recent years. Prices for both OTM and UTM cattle have remained stable for some months but as supplies remain short there will be more pressure on processors to increase prices to secure what limited supplies there are. Organic premiums remain at around 30p/kg on both OTM and UTM cattle.
Supplies of organic lamb are beginning to dry up as finishers hold on for better returns to cover high store lamb prices paid in the autumn. Prices did ease as a result of currency exchange rates not working in favour of exports, but availability of organic lamb numbers will undoubtedly push prices up. Premiums for organic lambs remain at around 30p/kg.
www.graigproducers.co.uk


Beef price data: (2010-2012)



Organic from Graig Producers, conventional is a simple average of HCC published “Average Weekly GB Deadweight Price – Steers”

Lamb price data (2010-2012)



Organic from Graig Producers, conventional is a simple average of HCC published “Average Weekly GB Deadweight Price - Lambs SQQ”



For full details of the advantages of membership, including great savings on inputs, contact Graig Producers on 01597 851811.


Organic Livestock Auctions

Welshpool Livestock Sales' next organic auction will be 13th March 2012. This will be for organic cattle. Call 01938 553438 for details.

Carmarthen Livestock Centre holds regular organic auctions on the first Friday of the month. Call 01267 236268 or Huw Evans on 07976 328177 for details or e-mail

McCartneys will hold a joint auction for organic and in conversion livestock on 30th March at Brecon Market. Regular organic auctions are held on the last Friday of the month. Call 01874 622386 for details.

Organic price information
More livestock price information can be found at www.soilassociation.org

The organic meat and livestock market in Wales: archive

Information supplied by Graig Producers

January 2012

Nigel Elgar reports: Prices remain firm for organic beef and lamb with premiums of 30p/kg on Under thirty month beef, 40p/kg on Over thirty month beef and 20p/kg on organic lambs. Demand is strong for all categories and supply is starting to dry up. The agreement between Graig Producers and Dunbia on minimum pricing of organic lamb has achieved its goal of encouraging store finishers to buy lambs for finishing between January and May and ensuring more store lambs maintain their organic status, securing UK organic lambs for Dunbias customers. However, we are still looking for further supplies of both beef and lamb for other market outlets.

Please phone Gareth on 01597 851704 for the latest livestock prices and for very competitive organic feed prices.
http://www.graigproducers.co.uk



Beef price data: (2009-2011)
Organic from Graig Producers, conventional is a simple average of HCC published “Average Weekly GB Deadweight Price – Steers”

Lamb price data (2009-2011)
Organic from Graig Producers, conventional is a simple average of HCC published “Average Weekly GB Deadweight Price - Lambs SQQ”

Organic price information
More livestock price information can be found at www.soilassociation.org

Organic Livestock Auctions

Welshpool Livestock Sales' next organic auction will be on February 14th 2012. This will be for organic cattle. Call 01938 553438 for details.

Carmarthen Livestock Centre holds regular organic auctions on the first Friday of the month. Call 01267 236268 or Huw Evans on 07976 328177 for details or e-mail carmarthen@auctionmarts.com.

McCartneys will hold joint auctions for organic and in conversion livestock on Friday 27 January and 24 February at Brecon Market. Regular organic auctions are held on the last Friday of the month. Call 01874 622386 for details.

December 2012

Nigel Elgar reports: Organic lamb prices and demand remain strong underpinned by a landmark agreement between Graig Producers and Dunbia to instil some predictability and stability into supplies. Encouragingly, figures from Kantar for the year show organic lamb meat sales increasing by 5%.

Demand for both over and under thirty month beef remain buoyant and retail sales continue to grow in the region of 18%.

Graig Producers can market all the stock that is being presented without delay and it is expected that demand will remain strong after Christmas with good premiums being paid. Graig Producers can not only market farmers' livestock for the best prices available but also save members money through discounted inputs. To find out more, please phone the office on 01597 851811 and speak to Nigel, or if you have stock available, please phone Gareth on 01597 851704.
www.graigproducers.co.uk





Beef price data: (2009-2011)
Organic from Graig Producers, conventional is a simple average of HCC published “Average Weekly GB Deadweight Price – Steers”

Lamb price data (2009-2011)
Organic from Graig Producers, conventional is a simple average of HCC published “Average Weekly GB Deadweight Price - Lambs SQQ”

Organic Livestock Auctions

Welshpool Livestock Sales' next organic auction will now not be until February 14th 2012. This will be for organic cattle. Call 01938 553438 for details.

Carmarthen Livestock Centre holds regular organic auctions on the first Friday of the month. Call 01267 236268 or Huw Evans on 07976 328177 for details or e-mail carmarthen@auctionmarts.com.

McCartneys will hold a joint auction for organic and in conversion livestock on Friday 30th December at Brecon Market. Regular organic auctions are held on the last Friday of the month. Call 01874 622386 for details.

Organic price information
More livestock price information can be found at http://www.soilassociation.org

The organic meat and livestock market in Wales November update

Graig Producers
Nigel Elgar reports:

The organic lamb price is strengthening as a result of supply and demand but too many smaller organic lambs are finding their way into the conventional light-weight export market even though there is strong demand for organic stores. A recent agreement between Graig Producers and Dunbia on minimum prices and a minimum organic premium above conventional will hopefully encourage more producers to retain the organic status of lambs and the agreement will instil some confidence into the sector which, over the last few years, has seen little or no price premiums at certain times. The commitment by Sainsbury's to continue sourcing 100% British lamb and beef is very encouraging and agreements like this help join up the food chain increasing efficiencies throughout. Graig Producers continues to work with all the major processors.
Over recent weeks the volume of cattle, both OTM & UTM, have increased but the price and demand remains firm.
Graig Producers can not only market farmers livestock for the best prices available but also save members money through discounted inputs. To find out more please phone the office on 01597 851811 and speak to Nigel, or if you have stock available please phone Gareth on 01597 851704.
www.graigproducers.co.uk

A new opportunity has recently become available for Organic farmers with Welsh Mountain ewes.
A trail has been set up by Waitrose to test the market for selling Organic Welsh Mountain Mutton under the Duchy Originals from Waitrose brand. Initial feedback has been very positive and demand is strong. To help run the trial for longer Livestock Marketing in Aberystwyth would be interested to hear from anyone who still has Organic Welsh Mountain ewes available for sale over the next few weeks. To find our more please contact Livestock Marketing on 01970 636433.





Beef price data: (2009-2011)
Organic from Graig Producers, conventional is a simple average of HCC published “Average Weekly GB Deadweight Price – Steers”

Lamb price data (2009-2011)
Organic from Graig Producers, conventional is a simple average of HCC published “Average Weekly GB Deadweight Price - Lambs SQQ”

For full details of the advantages of membership, including great savings on inputs, contact Graig Producers on 01597 851811.
farmers@graigproducers.co.uk

Organic Livestock Auctions

Welshpool Livestock Sales' next organic auction will now not be until February 14th 2012. This will be for organic cattle. Call 01938 553438 for details.

Carmarthen Livestock Centre holds regular organic auctions on the first Friday of the month. Call 01267 236268 or Huw Evans on 07976 328177 for details or e-mail carmarthen@auctionmarts.com.

McCartneys will hold a joint auction for organic and in conversion livestock on Friday 25th November and then Friday 30th December at Brecon Market. Regular organic auctions are held on the last Friday of the month. Call 01874 622386 for details.

Organic price information
More livestock price information can be found at http://www.soilassociation.org

The organic meat and livestock market in Wales October update

Graig Producers

Nigel Elgar reports: Organic finished lambs remain in short supply despite premiums of around 20p/kg being paid over conventional prices. We are working with one processor to instil confidence back into the sector by ensuring minimum organic premiums all year. Graig Producers are looking for organic store lambs so please contact us before sending lambs through the conventional market. Premiums paid above conventional prices and lower commission charges than the live markets make the opportunity to sell organic lambs into an organic market attractive, call Gareth on 01597 851704

The drought conditions of the spring/summer had a major impact on finished beef supplies but numbers of cattle coming forward has increased in recent weeks. Demand for both OTM and UTM cattle remains strong and prices firm and Graig Producers is able to market all the stock it's members present without delay.

Recent changes to the UTM payment grid by one processor has eased the penalties on the out of spec cattle giving more options on where to send poorer animals to ensure the best return.

For more information on the market call Gareth on 01597 851704 or email . See
www.graigproducers.co.uk

Beef and lamb prices September 2011




Organic from Graig Producers, conventional is a simple average of HCC published “Average Weekly GB Deadweight Price – Steers”

Organic from Graig Producers, conventional is a simple average of HCC published “Average Weekly GB Deadweight Price - Lambs SQQ”

For full details of the advantages of membership, including great savings on inputs, contact Graig Producers on 01597 851811

Organic Livestock Auctions
Welshpool Livestock Sales' next organic auction will now not be until November 7th 2011. This will be for organic and in conversion cattle and sheep. Call 01938 553438 for details.

Carmarthen Livestock Centre holds regular organic auctions on the first Friday of the month. Call 01267 236268 or Huw Evans on 07976 328177 for details or

McCartneys will hold a joint auction for organic and in conversion livestock on 28th October 2011 at Brecon Market. Regular organic auctions are held on the last Friday of the month. Call 01874 622386 for details.