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HomeFarming NewsPrice collapse driving sheep sector ‘into a road of no return’
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Price collapse driving sheep sector ‘into a road of no return’

In this article, a spokesperson for Tullow Sheep Breeders’ Association issues a stark warning for the sheep sector.

The future of sheep farming is certainly in the balance, with lamb prices, today quoted at €6.20/kg, writes a spokesperson for Tullow Sheep Breeders’ Association.

This day last year, they traded at €6.90 with a top price of €7.30 achieved during the first week of January.

This price collapse, on top of an increase in commodities in excess of 50%, is driving this sector into a road of no return.

Irish farmers, who are caretakers of rural Ireland, play a major role in the care and upkeep of this fine country.

Sheep will disappear, leaving much of the lesser grounds unstable for other enterprises lying idle.

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The future of sheep farming is in question, and the Tullow Sheep Breeders’ Association calls on all parties involved to come together and put a plan in place so sheep farmers facing into lambing ewes in the coming weeks are given market reassurance.

We are calling on the Minister of Agriculture, Minister Charlie McConalogue, and representatives of farmer organisations to make immediate representation to Meat Industry Ireland, Bord Bia and others to address the unacceptable price being paid for sheep.

Sheep farming: Lambing season

As highlighted above, lambing season is just around the corner and in recent days, That’s Farming interviewed a farm vet, who provided us with a list of 30 pieces of equipment for lambing season.

The publication wrote the following – Remember that good preparation and planning will help in achieving a better outcome this lambing season.

On many enterprises, ‘Lambing 2023’ is just around the corner, and the season makes for one of the busiest times of year for sheep farmers.

This is particularly true where farmers may be lambing large numbers over time or within a compact lambing window or possibly where their lambing season coincides with calvings.

The season can be physically and mentally demanding for many farmers, who, as a result, can become tired or overwhelmed and may even reach burnout.

Ensuring you have a lambing toolkit containing all your essential items at hand, can make navigating through the season easier.

See our lambing equipment checklist.

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