This week's Global Dairy Trade auction saw average prices down by another six per cent on the last sale two weeks ago.
The key prices were: SMP (Skimmed Milk Powder) down 9.5 per cent to average $2600/tonne (-45 per cent in seven months); cheddar down 4.9 per cent to average $3275/t (-34 per cent in seven months); butter down 5.6 per cent to average $2753/t (-42 per cent in seven months); WMP (Whole Milk Powder) down 4.3 per cent to average $2673/t (-47 per cent in seven months).
Market round-up
The Cumberland & Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart sold 29 prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 220.5 pence per kilogramme and an average of 211p.
There were 82 cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 127.8p and dairy cows levelled at 94.7p.
The firm also sold 1306 prime lambs to a top of £75 per head and 184p per kg to average 152.3p (-16.8p on the week).
The 682 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £114.50 for Bleu de Maine and average £69.87 (-£3.58), while light ewes peaked at £70.50 for Lleyns and levelled at £37.31 (-£4.99).
United Auctions sold 503 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 254.1p and an average of 215.5p (+6.7p).
Meanwhile 621 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 267.4p and levelled at 225.5p (+8.7p).
One-hundred-and-four store, B&W bullocks sold to 160p and averaged 147p (+4.6p).
In the rough ring 147 cows averaged 119.6p.
The firm also had 8606 store lambs forward at their annual show and sale sponsored by the Blackface Sheep Breeders Association when the champion pen of Blackface wethers was shown by JW Bennie & Sons, Merkins that went on to sell for £61.
Top prices and averages: Suffolks to £64 and averaged £56.88 (-£1.98 on the week); Texels £62.50 and £55.98 (-£1.81); Beltex £57 and £55.67 (-£5.21); Cheviots £55.50 and £55.75 (+£5.64); Mules £57 and £50.07 (-99p); Blackfaces £61 and £44.40 (+33.41).
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd had 4,892 store and breeding sheep forward at Ayr yesterday.
With a large show of Blackface ewe lambs on offer and buyers being very selective, all sizes were harder to sell on the year.
Top prices and averages: Blackface ewe lambs to £95 for Messrs JW Kay & Son, Gass, Straiton and averaged £63.45 for 1285 (-£14.15 on the year); Scotch Mule ewe lambs to £108 for Messrs A Paton & Co, Craig, Straiton and averaged £80.01 for 1058 (-£2.22); Scotch Mule gimmers to £159 for G McMorland & Son, High Craighead, Turnberry and averaged £127.33 for 1121 (+40p).
The trade for store lambs reflected this week's slide in prime lamb values, with all classes £2 to £3 cheaper on the week.
Top price on the day was £63 for Beltex, with the overall average levelling at £52.14 for 1428 (-£3.19).
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