Dip and rise in sheep prices is on the way

THE Teagasc Sectoral ‘Road Map’ for sheep production in Ireland predicts a decline in the price of sheep meat ‘in the near-term’ followed by a recovery again in the run-up to 2025.

It also points out, that at present, the EU is currently 87% self-sufficient in sheep meat and that figure is projected to decline only marginally over the coming 10 years.

The ‘Road Map’ also advises that the industry as a whole would benefit from an ‘agreed quality based payment system for lamb carcases.

It also points out that margins from hill lamb production ‘are insufficient to maintain current levels of hill farming activity’.

Teagasc advises that given the role of sheep in the maintenance of the current hill and mountain landscapes, in the context of tourism and environmental perspectives, ongoing supports will be necessary.

“The provision of support to sheep farmers will be essential to the maintenance of current levels of hill sheep farming activity . . .

“The overall vision [for the sector as a whole] is for a lowland sheep sector that is competitive, grass-based and produces a product that meets consumer requirements.

“The hill sheep sector will need to be primarily supported for its role in maintaining the hill and mountain environment and the production of prolific ewes for the lowland flocks,” Teagasc predict.

Some of the other main points to emerge in the Teagasc 10-year look-ahead are:

■ Ireland is the fourth largest sheep meat producer in the EU, exporting 83% of production and is the largest net exporter of sheep meat.

■ The national flock figure currently stands at 2.4 million ewes and has recently stabilised followed a continued contraction since 1993.

■ The lowland sector accounts for 80% of the ewe population and 85% of the lamb carcass output. Sheep is primarily a ‘second enterprise’ on farms.

■ Last year there were 35,254 breeding flocks in Ireland with an average of 71 ewes per breeding flock. 20% of owners had flocks of 150 ewes or over.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.