Farmers look to move away from early lambing

National Sheep Association chief executive Phil Stocker called on retailers to support early lambing flocks if they wanted to be able to source British lamb for the crucial Easter period.

Support

He said: “Some retailers need to take it on board more if they want to be on UK lamb for that period of March, April and May.

“For anybody doing it really well, you need at least £100 a lamb to make a reasonable return. In recent years, people have been making a loss.”

Prime lamb markets have had a positive start to the year, but decisions on Brexit could dominate markets across the next 12 months.

In Scotland, Lawrie and Symington auctioneer Brian Ross said the New Year had started positively with prices up about 15p/kg on this time last year, but it was very unclear where markets would go in 2018.

Mr Ross said last year’s sheep markets had been very good.

He said: “In general, year-on-year, prices would be better than we were 12 months ago. There were definitely more lambs moved last year. Trade-wise we would be slightly better.”

Easter

Easter will also fall relatively early this year, with Easter Sunday on April 1, which will affect prices during the early part of the year.

Mr Ashton agreed trade had been really good through summer and autumn.

He said: “Markets before Christmas were relatively good. Trade at our first sale was strong, but not as strong as it was.”

Brexit was a key talking point at markets and Mr Ross said people wanted politicians to provide some stability.

He said: “We are dependent on the export market. Farmers would really like to know where they stand.”

Brexit effect

Mr Ashton said the uncertainty was driving many farmers to consider giving up early lambing.

He said: “Instead of lambing, they are talking about store lambs. They will still be keeping sheep, but will not be breeding them.”

But Mr Ross warned buying store lambs was a ‘very fickle’ business and expected mixed farmers in his area to continue keeping ewes.

Mr Stocker added it was a high risk strategy with businesses very exposed to changing market conditions and many even more reliant on subsidy.

He encouraged businesses to look at their whole enterprise going forward, alongside considering environmental schemes to ensure they were making a profit post-Brexit.