Producers did not believe warnings about prices Cuts provoke angry reactions New doubt is cast on forecasts of an impending further rise in pigmeat prices by events in the UK trade and reports from the Danish industry. Cuts averaging about 3p per kilo imposed by all the major pig buyers at the end of last month have provoked furious reactions from producers. Their surprise is perhaps the most ominous market indicator. The farmers' indignation shows they simply did not believe all the warnings of pig prices losing touch with pork and bacon market reality earlier in the summer. Although the strains in the wholesale pigmeat trade could be attributed partly to seasonal influences, the failure of producers to anticipate the backlash from purchasers inevitably poses questions about their output intentions. If breeders and finishers could not foresee a price reversal even when the signals were so clear, how will they be able to synchronise their supply with available demand when the market moves into uncharted territory next year? Beef and feedgrain prices could come under stress, partly in response to changes in Brussels support mechanisms, and pig values are likely to be affected indirectly. Recent years' precendents have shown British pig production veers into surplus under such circumstances and the latest upheaval tells the same story. Meanwhile as MLC's commentary on the latest Danish herb census results confirms, it is increasingly doubtful whether EU output will contract to the degree producers in the UK have been led to believe. Weaner and breeding stock numbers in Denmark were sharply higher in July than 12 months previously. MLC admits this shows "production in 2000 may be above this year's level". {{MEAT }}