Compulsory poultry housing to end

The compulsory housing requirement for poultry in Northern Ireland as part of the avian influenza prevention zone is to end from 17 March, DAERA chief vet Robert Huey has confirmed.

Poultry producers will be allowed to let birds outside, but only if they put in place additional biosecurity measures.

These measures include ensuring feed and water cannot be contaminated by wild birds and cleaning and disinfecting of vehicles, equipment and footwear between premises.

“The risk of infection from wild birds is unlikely to decrease in Northern Ireland in the coming weeks, particularly as H5N8 has been confirmed in wild birds here,” Huey said.

Free-range egg producers in NI were set to lose their free-range status on 17 March if the housing requirement was extended as birds would have been housed for longer than the maximum 12-week period allowed under EU rules.

In England, producers in low-risk areas were permitted to let birds out from 28 February provided additional biosecurity measures are in place.

In high-risk areas, birds are only allowed outdoors if they are enclosed inside a protective netted area.

Hereford bulls sell to 2,500gns

The Hereford Elite Breeders Show and Sale on Monday saw a top price of 2,500gns (£2,626) being paid to Alan McFadden, Banbridge. His bull, JD 1 Maximus was sired by a top Australian sire, Wiruruna Daffy D1.

The second top price was 2,400gns (£2,520) paid to Robin and James Irvine of Whitecross for their bull Graceland 1 Mack.

A total of 19 bulls were brought forward for sale, but only five animals were sold.

Hoggets sell for £97 in marts

Tight numbers and increased buying competition from factory agents has seen hogget prices rise in marts. Prices at the top of the market this week were £94 to £97 per head.

The live trade for hoggets has continued to strengthen this week as buying agents compete for numbers.

Most mart managers report prices breaking the £90 mark, with many hoggets selling from £94 to £97 per head at the top of the trade in several marts. On a 22kg carcase, the top prices equate to £4.27/kg to £4.40/kg, while £90 equates to £4.09/kg. Hogget prices have also strengthened at meat plants, with quotes rising to 400p/kg. While some producers indicate they are being held at this price, others have indicated they have been paid up to 410p/kg. Numbers have become extremely tight on both sides of the border, which has increased demand. Last week, the weekly hogget kill fell by over 1,000 head to 6,818, the lowest for the year.

Sheep numbers reach 12-year high

Although breeding ewe numbers in NI remained almost unchanged at the end of last year at 912,700 head, total sheep numbers were up 3% to a 12-year high of 1,363,500 head.