Sheep

Lamb Price Cut Is Robbing Farmers of an Income – IFA

Sheep in Wicklow

IFA National Sheep Chairman Sean Dennehy said lamb factories need to stop cutting prices and undermining the lamb market. He said the price cuts of the last two weeks were robbing sheep farmers of any chance of an income from early lamb.

“The price cutting tactic of the factories is completely undermining the market and destroying sheep farmers’ incomes. We need price stability at this critical time,” he said.

Sean Dennehy said spring lambs are making €6.10 to €6.30/kg and hoggets are making from €5.00/kg to €5.30/kg for larger suitable lots.

The IFA sheep Chairman advised flock owners to draft and select stock on a weekly basis at this time of year. He said, “With the good spring, lambs are finishing well and it is essential farmers don’t allow lambs into overweight condition. This is only giving factories free lamb and makes no sense.”

Sean Dennehy said the price cuts on spring lamb and hoggets at the factories have been excessive this year.

“This time last year spring lambs and hoggets’ were making €1.00/kg more, which is equivalent to €20 to €23 per head, or all of the profit from a sheep enterprise,” he concluded.

 

 

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