Sheep

Farmer Anger Over Factory Lamb Price Cuts

Sheep in Wicklow

Sheep farmers reacted angrily and pushed back hard on the attempts by the factories to cut lamb prices over the weekend, IFA National Sheep Chairman Sean Dennehy has said. He said agents were on the receiving end of farmer anger when plants tried to cut the price by another 30c on last week’s price.

Sean Dennehy said this attempt by the factories is seen as unjustified and irresponsible when the market is strong with Ramadan set to continue for another three weeks, until the June 15th. “Farmers see this for what it is, an attempt by the factories to undermine the market,” Sean Dennehy said.

€6.50/kg plus bonuses to 21kg is being paid this morning in some of the plants are agents are saying that numbers of fit lambs are tight on the ground. Top prices of €6.30/kg to 23kgs were paid for hoggets late last week. Ewes are making €3.00/3.10/kg.

The IFA Sheep farmer leader said farmers should only market lambs when they are fully fit as severe price sanctions are being imposed on underweight lambs and hoggets in nearly all of the plants.

Sean Dennehy said farmers don’t need to be reminded of the severe conditions, extra feeding and loses this spring and they should bargain hard when selling lambs.

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