NI farmers give away Blackface wool
Sheep farmers in NI who sell wool directly to Republic of Ireland-based merchants at spot prices are not receiving any money for Blackface wool.
Reports indicate that merchants are still accepting Blackface wool but the collapse in global markets as a result of the coronavirus pandemic has meant it effectively has no value at present.
Quotes for crossbred wool currently range from 10-15p/kg, a sharp contrast to the 50-55p/kg which was widely available last year. Blackface wool typically made 25-30p/kg during 2019.
Despite the limited demand for wool, British Wool has continued to hold online auctions and has managed to clear some of the overhang from the 2019 clip.
“By remaining opening for business from March through to May, we have sold an additional two million kilos of 2019 wool at higher prices than those being paid today,” said British Wool chief executive Joe Farren.
Plans for breeding sheep sales
Livestock marts and breed societies are making plans for sheep sales later this year.
In a social media post, Ballymena mart said that they intend to proceed with pedigree ram, breeding ewe and store lamb sales. However, with social distancing likely to remain a requirement, the time and date of some sales may change.
In a video post, Suffolk Sheep Society chief executive Robin McIlrath said that the plan was to go ahead with its five premier sales, but it was unlikely that pre-sale shows will be held.
Restrictions on viewing stock before the sales are also expected to be in place, although exact details are not known yet.
Meanwhile, Ballymena Mart has announced that pre-booking livestock before sales is no longer a requirement for sellers. Other coronavirus rules remain in place, including the requirement for buyers to pre-book their place and for sellers to return home after unloading stock.
Charity auction at Best sale - reminder
The sale of Aberdeen Angus cattle from the Loughans herd of Rory Best at Markethill mart on 25 June will include an auction of an Angus/Highland cross heifer for charity.
The heifer has been killed, hung and butchered by Peter Hannan, and will be boxed and ready for collection. It will split as two sides and auctioned as two lots.
All proceeds will go to Cancer fund for children.
English farmers to
get monthly payments
Farmers in England will be paid monthly under the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS). ELMS is to replace the Basic Payment Scheme in England and will be based on “public money for public goods” where farmers are mainly paid for delivering environmental measures.
“You won’t claim on a monthly basis, but we will pay you monthly,” David Kennedy from Defra said.
Read more
UK cereals crop to be down 30%
NI soils capture 1.2m tonnes of carbon per year
NI farmers give away Blackface wool
Sheep farmers in NI who sell wool directly to Republic of Ireland-based merchants at spot prices are not receiving any money for Blackface wool.
Reports indicate that merchants are still accepting Blackface wool but the collapse in global markets as a result of the coronavirus pandemic has meant it effectively has no value at present.
Quotes for crossbred wool currently range from 10-15p/kg, a sharp contrast to the 50-55p/kg which was widely available last year. Blackface wool typically made 25-30p/kg during 2019.
Despite the limited demand for wool, British Wool has continued to hold online auctions and has managed to clear some of the overhang from the 2019 clip.
“By remaining opening for business from March through to May, we have sold an additional two million kilos of 2019 wool at higher prices than those being paid today,” said British Wool chief executive Joe Farren.
Plans for breeding sheep sales
Livestock marts and breed societies are making plans for sheep sales later this year.
In a social media post, Ballymena mart said that they intend to proceed with pedigree ram, breeding ewe and store lamb sales. However, with social distancing likely to remain a requirement, the time and date of some sales may change.
In a video post, Suffolk Sheep Society chief executive Robin McIlrath said that the plan was to go ahead with its five premier sales, but it was unlikely that pre-sale shows will be held.
Restrictions on viewing stock before the sales are also expected to be in place, although exact details are not known yet.
Meanwhile, Ballymena Mart has announced that pre-booking livestock before sales is no longer a requirement for sellers. Other coronavirus rules remain in place, including the requirement for buyers to pre-book their place and for sellers to return home after unloading stock.
Charity auction at Best sale - reminder
The sale of Aberdeen Angus cattle from the Loughans herd of Rory Best at Markethill mart on 25 June will include an auction of an Angus/Highland cross heifer for charity.
The heifer has been killed, hung and butchered by Peter Hannan, and will be boxed and ready for collection. It will split as two sides and auctioned as two lots.
All proceeds will go to Cancer fund for children.
English farmers to
get monthly payments
Farmers in England will be paid monthly under the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS). ELMS is to replace the Basic Payment Scheme in England and will be based on “public money for public goods” where farmers are mainly paid for delivering environmental measures.
“You won’t claim on a monthly basis, but we will pay you monthly,” David Kennedy from Defra said.
Read more
UK cereals crop to be down 30%
NI soils capture 1.2m tonnes of carbon per year
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