UK grain prices increased last week taking prices for May-13 to over £200/t. According to the latest HGCA report, May futures are at risk of becoming technically rather than fundamentally driven as participants look to neutralise hedge positions.

The report, published yesterday (25 March), reckoned snow covered the central plains and Midwest of the US which was delaying spring plantings. Dwindling temperatures across Europe also halted any progress.

However, the European Commissions ‘MARS’ crop condition report was optimistic despite these lower temperatures saying it had been an ‘optimistic start to the season’.

While cold temperatures continued through much of the UK, many farmers weren’t feeling the Commissions optimism.

Farming Online spoke to one agricultural contractor in England who, wanting to remain nameless, was concerned for this season.

“We have at least one thousand acres to put in [of spring crops]. It’s not just livestock who will suffer in this snow, it’s undoubtedly crops too.”

And its not just crops which have been affected. With many farms currently lambing, the poor weather is taking its toll on livestock too.

“We’re having to keep sheep in longer, feed them more and it’s just so much extra labour,” explains farmer James Gilhespy, who farms 450 ewes in partnership with his father.

“It just makes the job a lot harder. We could do with some sun to get the grass growing otherwise our costs are just going to increase.”

The poor weather affected the sheep trade at Skipton Auction Mart with a small entry of 45 ewes and 76 lambs in their ‘ewes with lambs at foot’ sale yesterday (25 March).

Broken mouthed Texel x Ewes took the highest bid of £142 for the ewe with twins, levelling at £131 while broken mouthed Mule ewes went to £125 for the outfit, averaging at £121.

With mixed feelings about spring time, many farmers across the UK and Europe will be praying for warmer weather as cows, calves, ewes and lambs are turned out and the spring drilling campaign gets underway.