The shout price league table now reads as follows:

1. 142p Woodhead.
2. 141p Gill.
3. 139p Cranswick, Tulip, Vion.

Although one or two spot bidders suggested they would like to buy at less than 140p, as it turned out most spot bacon was traded in the 140p–142p range with useful premiums for Freedom Food and gilt pigs.

The recent improvement in prices is tending to be supply- rather than demand-led with numbers continuing to tighten. Continuing blue ear problems on Yorkshire and East Anglia units suggest supplies in the months ahead may also be on the tight side.

The euro ended the week very slightly firmer worth 83.62p and cull sows were traded anywhere between 124p and 128p in the main, but one processor commented that he thought they were probably worth more in Britain than in Europe so perhaps we will see some German ones on our doorstep next week!

Not much movement however in the weaner market where the latest AHDB 30kg ex-farm average remains virtually static at 344.85/head with worries about high feed prices putting something of a lid on demand, although if finished pig prices continue to move ahead 30kg weaners are facing a much better future than previously.

For those of you with an interest in horse racing but who are unable to escape to Cheltenham, I am sponsoring the Confined Hunt Race at the Ampton Point-to-Point near Bury St Edmunds on Sunday and (almost) everyone is welcome to join me for a drink in the Sponsors' Tent.

Good luck, but remember the downfall of many a good man has been slow horses and fast women.