In-lambers back £30 as costs force flock cuts

A 2020 lamb price combined with 2023 production costs have forced the hand of several commercial flocks this year, leading to an oversupply of in-lamb ewes.

Labour cost, which is reported to be £16/hour for experienced farm hands in some areas, is a major factor, along with elevated input costs.

Some also blame an inadequate reward from the marketplace, with a lacklustre cull ewe trade and prime lambs back £15 a head on the year, reflecting a global sheep market downturn.

See also: FUW dismay as trade figures confirm surge in lamb imports

New Zealand’s trade has slumped, Spain’s price has fallen 85p/kg to £6.22/kg, and French lambs have tumbled 66p/kg to £6.93.

Longtown numbers rocket

Longtown has sold more than 7,000 in-lamb ewes so far in 2023, compared with 4,000 head at the same point last year, according to the team at C&D Auction Marts.

Sheep auctioneer Nick Woodmass said: “Vendors are trying to save on feed costs and some on labour, so are selling ewes. Some are dispersing flocks; others are cutting back.

“There is a trend for people to run less sheep, trying to get away with no paid labour, while others are hoping to run a smaller flock with no fertiliser or bought-in feed, and rely on home-grown forage.”

He said cull ewes that made £130-£135 a head last year were achieving only £90-£100 this year, which had diminished budgets.

Demand was, however, being supported by farms that had scanned poorly in drought-hit regions.

“A lot of farmers I’ve spoken to are 20-40% back on their usual scan,” said Mr Woodmass. “Buyers have come from Wales, the south and parts of the east coast looking for strong sheep, hoping to have triplets to foster onto ewes scanned with a single.”

Exeter numbers up 30%

Kivells sheep auctioneer Russell Steer said Exeter mart had seen the same trend. “The national flock is definitely shrinking,” said Mr Steer. “Most people are buying these in-lamb sheep to sell soon with lambs at foot.”

Throughputs are up 30% on the year, due to some farmers giving up, said Mr Steer.

Trade was much stronger earlier in the winter, he added. “We had 200-odd January lambers – all older ewes – that averaged £200. On 3 March, we topped with Mule hoggs at £140 and older ewes at £138.”

Mr Steer said the discounted sheep represented an opportunity, but once home they would start costing. “It’s difficult to justify filling a feed bin to sell a store lamb for £60 or a prime lamb for £95.”

The only glimmers of light were a firmer cull ewe trade and a sharper spring lamb price. “Some early Dorset lambs were 50p/kg dearer this week. They went from 250p/kg – the same as the best hoggs – to £3/kg,” he said.