UK Market:   Week Ending:  10/1/09   Week Number:  2

This week Last week Change Average for year Top of year Bottom of year This week last year DAPP EU 131.23 131.16 +0.07 131.20 131.23 131.16 110.63 DAPP UK 128.90 128.84 +0.06 128.87 128.90 128.84 108.89 AQM Av. Basket 132.38 131.54 +0.84 132.26 132.38 131.54 106.07 AQM Five 133.61 133.53 +0.17 133.44 133.61 133.44 111.95 Notes DAPP up by 0.07p/kg. The Traditional New Year hangover week has proved to be anything but! Pig numbers today, Friday 2nd January are short, and the Euro is 96p making imports expensive; as a consequence spot pig prices have started to move forward. The sow market has reacted quickly to the Euro position by going up as much as 10p per kilo today; the sow price is now at the same level as it was in mid November, as the market fully re-opens after Christmas. For the most up to date position please ring Richard Doel on 01763 241222 or 07831 107904 or email him at 'richard.doel@aqm.co.uk. ULS, AQM and YFLM prices published on this site are subject to amendment at any time without notice. Any changes will only be posted here on the Extranet. All prices issued for pigs are in p/kg and relate to EU dressing specification unless indicated otherwise.   Average Spot (Bacon) 131.54 130.57 +0.97 131.37 131.54 130.57 104.38 Notes STOP PRESS No 1 !!!- Go to Extranet, Industry Downloads, Commercial Results..................................... qboxanalysis - for the producer - One producer near Diss in Norfolk has improved his financial position by over £5 per pig this year SOLELY by increasing the percentage 'in spec' (Qbox) from 72.38% in 2006 to 86.60% 2007. With all the other pressures on margins this sort of improvement could be a lifesaver. Speak to Richard Doel on 07831 107904 for further details. STOP PRESS No 2 !!!- IPPC application, Contact the Environment Agency (08708 506506) or Nigel Penlington at BPEX (01908 844276).   Average Spot (Cutter) 132.78 131.77 +1.01 132.71 132.78 131.77 106.73 Notes Cheales operates a sow payment based on weight classification as follows, more than 160kgs 122p/kg 140 to 159kgs 120p/kg 120 to 139kgs 118p/kg   Cull Sow 118.00 109.00 +9.00 113.50 118.00 109.00 66.00

EU Market:

This week Last week Change Average for year Top of year Bottom of year This week last year Holland 127.23 125.83 +1.40 121.81 146.43 94.38 na Germany 130.95 132.59 -0.23 123.98 147.32 94.38 na Belgium 130.02 131.18 -1.16 120.91 142.44 93.67 na France 130.02 126.72 +3.30 120.20 140.82 91.52 na Denmark 112.37 109.77 +2.60 101.26 118.16 77.94 na Spain 128.19 123.15 +5.01 120.45 141.63 92.24 na

Weekly Tribune Quoted Prices:   Week Ending:  27.12.08   Week Number:  52

This week Last week Change Average for year Top of year Bottom of year This week last year GB Bacon 131.29 131.92 -0.63 125.11 140.35 97.93 na GB Cutter 136.55 136.66 -0.11 129.48 142.40 107.60 na GB Cull Sow na 112.70 na 101.65 132.60 63.50 na

UK Slaughtering Information:

-4 Months -3 Months -2 Months -1 Month Latest Month This week last year % Change Clean Pigs 846000 665000 697000 847000 726000 796000 -9.64 Sows 19000 16000 18000 21000 16000 12000 +33.33 Steers 87000 66000 86000 104000 78000 90000 -13.33 Heifers 63000 48000 58000 71000 62000 67000 -7.46 Young Bulls 30000 21000 21000 23000 19000 24000 -20.83 Cows & Adult Bulls 48000 41000 47000 64000 57000 42000 +35.71 Calves 4000 5000 5000 7000 5000 7000 -28.57 Sheep & Lambs 1308000 1181000 1270000 1565000 1285000 1293000 -0.62 Ewes & Rams 214000 197000 204000 239000 192000 180000 +6.66 Comment Latest monthly slaughter figures are for November 2008. Year on year - More evidence to show that the breeding herd of both cattle and pigs is falling. Cow slaughterings into the food chain in the 11 months of 2008 are UP a staggering 23.28%, sow slaughterings also up by 31%. At the same time prime beefslaughterings are DOWN 6.80% and prime pig slaughterings are DOWN 2.73%. (Final results of the June census confirm the continued decline of the national breeding herd. At 346,000 gilts, sows and boars it is 7.8 per cent less than in June 2007. In 2002 the total stood at 460,000.) Sheep- Ewe slaughterings up 6.04% - Prime Meat up 5.38% - we have yet to see a shortage here.

Weaner Market Comment:

AHDB prices for weaners for Great Britain at an average of 30kgs liveweight in £/head. Week ending 20th December 2008 Weaner prices continue to reflect the vagaries of the market place - 30kg ex farm average now quoted at £43.60. EP and circo virus vaccination are essential. Please contact: AQM Royston office on 01763-241222 or e-mail richard.doel@aqm.co.uk or YFLM Malton office on 01653-697941 or e-mail chris@barlowyf.fsnet.co.uk

Finished Pig Market Comment:

THE BRITISH PIG HEALTH SCHEME The British Pig Health Scheme has published the dates (Jan to June 2007) when the health of pigs will be assessed at specific abattoirs. If you wish to have your pigs assessed please speak to Richard Doel - if you wish to view the dates and abattoirs, on this AQM website, please go into 'Extranet and click on 'Industry Downloads' Conversely you can access the information at http://www.bpex.org/bphs/Assessment_Days.asp IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) (Source: Pork Chain Solutions) Pig farms with over 750 breeding sow places producing weaners or 2,000 finishing places over 30kgs will have to comply by early 2007. For a typical breeding and feeding unit this equates to a herd size of around 350-400 sows, depending on performance levels as shown below. Calculated herd size at various levels of productivity for a Breeding & Feeding unit to meet the current IPPC threshold of 2,000 finishing pig places............ Number of weeks accommodation from 30kgs to finish ------- 11------ 12------ 13----- 14---- 15------- Pigs/sow/year 18---- 525---- 481---- 444---- 413---- 385---- 20---- 473---- 433---- 400---- 371---- 347---- 22---- 430---- 394---- 364---- 338---- 315---- 24---- 394---- 361---- 333---- 310---- 289---- 26---- 364---- 333---- 308---- 286---- 267---- Notes: The threshold is based on the NUMBER OF PIG PLACES, not actual stock numbers, for pigs over 30 kgs, and in the above calculations the number of weeks of available accommodation has been used to express this. For a given situation this will be determined by growth rate, sale weight, and resting time between batches. If in doubt the NPA may be able to help – Tel:02476 472861 Additionally you can get in touch with ‘Pork Chain Solutions’ which organisation is an authority on the IPPC legislation. Their contact is: Nick White – Tel: 01543 472861 SLAPMARKING !! Pigs Producers – Please act now and for ever ! Please check regularly the cleanliness and condition of your slapmarking equipment: • The Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) may use their powers to bin the pigs not correctly identified, as unsuitable for human consumption, at a total loss to the producer. • If the problem becomes more widespread the EU will insist that all pigs are tagged. The solution is in your hands – SLAP PIGS PROPERLY! It is your responsibility! Tel 01763 241222

Sheep Market Information:

This week Last week Change Average for year Top of year Bottom of year This week last year SQQ 128.43 125.36 +3.07 128.43 128.43 128.43 128.43 Av. Deadweight 287.79 287.77 +0.02 287.79 287.79 287.79 na

Sheep Market Comment:

NB.: SQQ Prices quoted are in respect of New Season Lamb (NSL). Deadweight price, in pence per kilo, is the published average price of all lambs. Prices quoted relate to the average for week ending 20.12.08 (Source AHDB via EBLEX - from only 22% of the total lambs killed deadweight). Prices First indications today (Friday 2nd January) is that the lamb trade will continue strongly. As we went into the Christmas holiday there was a strong demand for good little lambs which was not met entirely by the close of play on the 24th December. The demand continues as we enter 2009, which is encouraging as we have slaughtered more lambs year on year. For further information please ring or email, Tim Leigh (07850 366404 - tim.leigh@aqm.co.uk) or Philip Robins (07917 603354 - philip.robins@aqm.co.uk)

Cattle Market Information:

This week Last week Change This week last year Av. GB Live Price 154.07 153.92 +0.15 110.00 Av. Deadweight (UK) 255.33 253.53 +1.80 198.20 OCDS Rate Per Head (All Cattle) N.A. £242.33 0.00 £220.45 Cows (post August 1996) 200.00 200.00 0.00 125.00

Cattle Market Comment:

Prices quoted (except Cows) are the average for the week ending 20.12.08. Average Deadweight prices (shown as pence per kilo except where stated) for the average for Southern England. Source AHDB via EBLEX. After record seasonal demand of beef roasting joints by the Multiples, 2009 has started with a shortage of beef as abattoirs try to replenish meat stocks for the supermarkets. However conversley high street butchers are struggling with sales after a disappointing Christmas. Trading today, Friday 2nd January, has shown that prices generally have moved forward several pence per kilo in the last 10 days. For further information please ring or email, Malcolm Evans (07831 107903 - malcolm.evans@aqm.co.uk), Tim Leigh (07850 366404 - tim.leigh@aqm.co.uk) or Philip Robins (07917 603354 - philip.robins@aqm.co.uk) IMPORTANT ALL CATTLE MUST HAVE 2 TAGS WHEN BEING MOVED FROM FARM TO FARM OR FOR SLAUGHTER • The regulations regarding Cattle Identification were updated on the 6th April 2007. • Decisions regarding difficulties in identification at the slaughterhouse are now covered under the Food Hygiene Regulations operated by the Food Standards Agency. • Cattle sent for slaughter without tags will usually be destroyed, at the discretion of the Official Veterinary Surgeon (OVS) at the Abattoir, with no payment and a possible penalty for the further disposal of the carcase. When booking cattle please be certain to notify us of any over 30 month cattle as strict rules govern the transport and slaughter !!!!! Please note : • Not every abattoir can slaughter over 30 month old cattle • Eligible abattoirs may only slaughter at specific times during the week • Over 30 month old cattle must travel separately to others. If a beast of over 30 months is delivered with other stock to an abattoir it may be condemned or have its value reduced. Please be sure to keep us informed exactly, regarding the age of cattle when you book. BSE testing On the afternoon of Wednesday 10th December the FSA agreed to support a move to increase from 30 months to 48 months the age at which cattle slaughtered for human consumption are BSE tested. The board based their decision on the advice received from SEAC (Spongiform Encephalopathy’s Advisory Committee) at its October meeting which stated that the increased risks to public health by raising the testing age was minimal. DEFRA also stated at the meeting that effective surveillance in line with scientific recommendations and statutory obligations would continue. The FSA will now make the formal recommendation to Health Ministers across the UK and assuming they agree to the change they will then sign the legislation. It is highly unlikely that ministers will not sign the legislation however until that happens nothing is guaranteed. It is hoped that the agreement will be made in the upcoming days and if that happens we expect to see the testing limit changed from the 1st January onwards. A summary of the changes (assuming official agreement is made): • Under 30 months – No testing required, VC (Vertebral Column) does not need to be removed. • 30m – 48m – No testing required, VC must be removed • Over 48m – Testing required, VC must be removed • Born Before 1 August 1996 – Animals must not enter food chain and must be disposed of as fallen stock

For Sale:   Last Updated:  1.12.08

AQM offer a professional secure supply of livestock from known selected suppliers. Store Cattle Autumn and the Spring are the most popular time to for store cattle to change hands - please ring Malcolm Evans on 07831 107903 to discuss the situation in detail. Reared calves Supplied from professional calf rearing units through our strong relationship with Peter Jones Livestock. Store lambs and breeding sheep normally available FOR SALE by SPECIAL OFFER due to cancelled order: VOLVO C70 Sport • Convertible with 3 section folding roof • Geartronic (automatic) • D5 (185ps diesel) • Passion Red • Beige Leather and T.Tec interior • Keyless entry • Integral Sat. Nav. • Immediate delivery Price – was £31,600. but now £25,000 on the road Interested? – please ring Helen of Cecil and Larter Corporate on 01284 778898 IF YOU WANT TO ADVERTISE HERE FREE CONTACT THE ROYSTON OFFICE ON 01763-241222 To take advantage as a buyer or seller of AQM's services please contact: Malcolm Evans: 07831 107903 regarding Cattle Tim Leigh: 07850 366404 regarding lambs Philip Robins: 07917 603354 regarding both species Richard Doel: 07831 107904 regarding pigs

Wanted:   Last Updated:  1.12.08

Breeding Heifers Bulling Heifers - Belgian Blue X Holstein or better Simmental and/or South Devon Suckler bulling heifers or breeding cows Store Stock - Good quality continental cross store stock - steers and heifers. Cull Stock of all classes - Cows, Ewes and Sows Please ring Malcolm Evans (07831 107903), Tim Leigh (07850 366404) or Philip Robins (07917 603354)

Disclaimer: All information on the AQM website, or contained in the Newsletter, is supplied by known sources but is not necessarily the opinion of Anglia Quality Meat Association Ltd or any company associated with AQM or this website specifically. All information, particularly in the Marketing Report, should be treated as a guide and should not be relied upon as a trading recommendation. Every effort has been made to ensure all information supplied is of a fair and honest nature.