Prices held at generally similar levels with the DAPP a shade firmer at 163.87p and contract prices followed this trend.
Spot bacon buyers absorbed any spare pigs on offer and prices were generally between 165-167p/kg, but loins and legs are still hard to clear, although shoulders are reported to be flying out of the door, just a pity that pigs do not have large shoulders and small behinds!
The euro remains under pressure from a rising sterling trading on Friday at little more than 79p, but despite this cull sow quotes were either a positive stand on or +1p in places, with most culls worth between 95p and 98p/kg.
Despite falling grain prices, weaner values have yet to rise due to a combination of slower growth rates during the recent unsettled weather and a lack of space in the system.
The latest AHDB 30kg ex-farm weaner average remains static at £56.49/head and 7kg weaners at £41.20/head ex-farm, although spot buyers are looking to pay less than this with supply ahead of demand in some areas.
Grain prices continue to slide with old-crop spot wheat quoted at £136/t ex-farm and new-crop off the combine quotes at little more than £130/t.
Futures prices are also painting a brighter picture for farmers, with July feed wheat trading at £132/t delivered and November a tad more at £134.30/t.
And finally, for those outdoor producers with time to spare tomorrow, the scene is set for one of my largest ever outdoor pig equipment dispersal auctions. The venue has a beautiful view across the Wiltshire Countryside to The Needles, so perhaps some of you might bring the lady in your life along for a day away from the farm.
> Based in Suffolk, Peter Crichton provides a wide range of valuation, auction and livestock marketing services, as well as supplying the UK pig industry with a wide range of consultancy services covering tenancy, contract advice, pig equipment and herd valuations as well as dispute resolution. For more information visit: www.petercrichton.co.uk