€7 per kg. is needed for Spring lambers

WESTERN sheep farmers are hoping that the combination of a late Easter and an early Ramadan, will help to boost early season lamb prices.

According to IFA National Sheep Committee Chairman, John Lynskey, farmers would need to be getting a price of €7 per kg. for Spring lambs to give a ‘reasonable return’ to consumers.

With a late Easter this year – Easter Sunday is on April 27 –and an early Ramadan – from May 27 to June 24 – there are hopes of a strong early market for Spring lambs.

“Butchers, factories and retailers will be looking for Spring lambs over the coming weeks. The way Easter and Ramadan are falling this year, we are expecting a strong demand through April and May for Spring lambs,” said John Lynskey.

Galway IFA Sheep Representative, Michael Murphy, told the Farming Tribune that supplies of early lambs were likely to be very tight after the experience of sheep farmers last year.

“Many farmers let out the ram a lot later last backend after the awful weather of the Spring of 2016 and the high costs involved in producing early lambs.

“This has to result in lesser numbers of early lambs coming on stream – with the way Easter and Ramadan are falling, we are expecting a strong early demand.

“Hogget prices have been back compared to the same time last year, but if farmers producing early lamb are to make even a modest profit, then a price of €7 per kg. is the bottom line,” said Michael Murphy.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.