Sheep
Sheep farmers in Northern Ireland are pointing to a positive outlook for the sector. This premise is based on a number of factors
Beef
Beef prices can be expected to remain relatively strong for the foreseeable future due to scarcity in cow supplies
ICSA sheep chair, Willie Shaw said that processors are acting in bad faith by attempting to cut lamb prices when supplies are "clearly tight".
N.Ireland
Antrim sheep farmer, Campbell Tweed, believes that Irish lamb prices will remain strong over the coming months.
Danske Bank’s head of agriculture, Rodney Brown, has confirmed an improvement in farm finances across Northern Ireland.
This week's sheep trade sees prices for both factory lambs and cull ewes increase with 50c/kg added to the top-end of the trade in cases.
The IFA has said that sheep farmers are "under no pressure" to offload lambs that require further feeding, due to strong prices.
The latest census figures confirm that total sheep numbers have declined significantly across Europe over the past 12 months.
Sheep News
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) is calling on factories to stop what it describes as the "relentless cuts" to lamb prices.
The current strength of lamb and ewe prices is encouraging flock owners to keep less sheep, according to Ulster Wool chairman: Brendan Kelly.
Well-known EasyCare sheep breeder, Campbell Tweed, has expressed a strong degree of confidence in the future of lamb prices.
The hogget trade has continued to go from strength to strength as factory quotes have continued to rise for the third consecutive week.
Prices in the sheep trade this week (beginning Monday, January 22) have seen a moderate lift from the quotes provided by processors for lamb.
Lamb prices in Ireland are now "well out of sync" with the UK and EU countries, according to the ICSA Sheep chair, Sean McNamara.
Pressure is growing on the government to agree an immediate support boost for Ireland’s sheep and wool sectors.
There is now a growing expectation that global beef and sheep prices could come under some pressure during the period ahead.
Sheep Technical
Last week was a far more positive week for trading at sheep marts with prices up on average €2-5/head and more in cases.
An improved trade trade was across the board at Tullow Mart on Tuesday, January 24, with some positivity to report a welcome sight.
Processor Irish Country Meats has said it is sympathetic to sheep producers regarding the...
Inflation pressure, cheaper cuts, the decline in import demand from China and the US are factors contributing to the price pressure on lamb.
The trade at marts this past week remained tough with prices falling back further in the majority of cases.
The public meeting on lamb prices on Monday by the IFA aim is to send a clear message to three entities of the dire state the sector is in.
The sheep trade continues into the week on a downward trend as base prices at the higher end of the market come back 5c/kg.
