Sheep prices July 2021
According to the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC), sheep factories across Northern Ireland have pulled lamb prices by 80-120p/kg in the last six weeks.
It reported that base quotes from three major lamb processing plants ranged from 480-510p/kg for R3 grading lambs up to 21kg this week.
The commission believes that the Islamic festival, Eid al-Adha, taking place later this month, will boost lamb prices.
Sheep prices July 2021
“As the quotes ease back, the paid prices have also declined in recent weeks with last week’s NI deadweight lamb price at 482.7p/kg. This is back 48.7p/kg from the previous week.”
“While there has been downward movement in the deadweight lamb trade in recent weeks, the prices still continue to trend above previous years. However, the differential has narrowed.”
It reported that last week, the deadweight lamb price was 27.5p/kg above the corresponding week in 2020. Based on its calculations, this equates to a £6 differential on a 21kg lamb carcase.
Meanwhile, last week’s price is a more significant 91.5p/kg above the relative price in 2019, equating to an additional £19 on a 21kg lamb carcase.
Sheep factories Northern Ireland
The commission reminds farmers to try and produce lambs that meet current market specifications.
It said that processors prefer the following:
- Farm quality assured lambs;
- 18-21kg carcase;
- Fat cover of 2 or 3.
“Meeting specification for carcase weight is of particular importance to producers. Any extra carcase weight beyond this does not provide any financial return to the producer.”
Throughput
The body added that lamb throughput in local plants has continued to increase in recent weeks following the usual seasonal trends.
Last week, local plants processed 11,040 lambs, taking the total throughput in the last six weeks to 55,561 head.
Lambs accounted for 95% of total sheep throughput in NI during the last six weeks. This, it concluded, is similar to sheep kill figures during the relative period last year.
