With a number of the major abattoirs slaughtering on Monday the problems encountered on August bank holiday last year were largely avoided when contract and spot pigs kept being rolled and the backlog was not cleared until the end of September with prices suffering as a consequence.

Although we have hardly had a barbeque summer, the return of cooler weather is now being seen as a sign that pigmeat consumption might rise and growth rates could slow down helping to improve demand across the board.

The DAPP slipped again and now stands at 143.44p, but the Tulip base price stood on at 142p and although some spot buyers suggested they would like to pay less for pigs next week, most lost their nerve and prices remained at stand on levels with if anything a slightly firmer demand for lighter weights.

As a result spot bacon was traded in the 138–140p range and the only sellers left out in the cold were those with non-Farm Assured pigs who in some areas were unable to get more than 136p.

Lighter cutter weight pigs were traded at better levels with quotes of up to 158p available for 60kg deadweight pigs.

The euro also staged a miniscule recovery and now stands at 82.2p compared with 81.8p a week ago, which at least means that cheap pigmeat imports are no cheaper.

Cull sow quotes remained at generally similar levels although there was something of a lack of competition in the market today with a short week and enough sows to go round. Delivered quotes for large loads were available in 100–102p region and collected prices between 95 – 97p according to specification.

The weaner market may also have levelled out now that feed prices seem to have stabilised and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 30kg ex-farm weaner average is now quoted at 347.36/head, but premiums are available for Freedom Food weaners as well as more interest being shown in 7kg piglets from some of the large scale buyers.