Sheep Factory Price Cuts Undermine Store Trade

IFA Sheep Chair Adrian Gallagher said the cuts applied by sheep factories to hogget prices is unnecessary and highly irresponsible.

He said store finishers have incurred their costs in producing these hoggets for factories. This gives the factories a consistent supply of sheep meat for their key customers, but their reckless behaviour is decimating their returns.

“Store finishers are now a key part of the sector, providing a vital outlet for hill sheep farmers and maintaining a year-round supply of sheep meat. We are all acutely aware of the contraction in sheep numbers and the broader concerns for the longer- term viability of the sector if the decline continue,” he said.

He said this latest attempt at undermining the confidence of farmers risks huge knock-on impacts for store finishers and hill sheep producers.

Adrian Gallagher said factories can and must do more in the marketplace to maintain sustainable prices for sheep farmers and reverse these price cuts.