Hill farmers in Connacht are now supplying finished hill lambs to Kepak Athleague under a deal arranged earlier this year by the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA).

The lamb meat is being sold under the brand Atlantic Hill Lamb and is aimed mainly at export markets but also domestic customers.

Up to 600 hill farmers have now sold light lambs to Athleague since the season started in July, according to INHFA’s Brendan Joyce, who is coordinating the project.

“Some farmers have finished a small number of lambs for this outlet as a trial, others have sold bigger numbers,” he said.

“The number of lambs that have gone through the scheme is now approaching 6,000.”

Careful feeding

Producing these lambs involves careful feeding in final weeks to give a fleshed carcase weighing in the range of 10-15kg. Fit lambs are drafted out for sale.

This is different approach for many hill farmers who would normally sell off their lambs in one lot as stores to be finished on lowland.

Marketing and training

Bord Bia provided marketing aid for this trade while Teagasc has provided training for farmers in feeding hill lambs to meet the required specification.

“There is a small premium over the French price for lambs meeting the spec,” Joyce said.

“We sat down with farmers, got them into groups, and provided them with better information as to what is required in a light lamb,” he said.