Farmers buying lambs as cattle are 'too dear'

Mart managers in the southwest are reporting a stronger than usual interest for store lambs. The surge in sheep demand is largely driven by unprecedented cattle prices and some farmers are hesitant to spend big money on cattle that could be around until next summer.

The cattle price is influencing the price of sheep in a big way, said Milltown Mart manager Linda Daly. She has noticed a share of new customers appear, especially online.

“Stores are coming out earlier and comfortably making over €4/kg recently. We had a smaller sale, but fierce demand the week of Puck Fair and it was €4.20/kg up to €4.85/kg then.

“A lot of farmers have sold cattle lately and they can’t replace them because of the cost, so they’re getting store lambs to eat the grass and it’s influencing the price of the sheep big time around here.”

For farmers who are set up for it, store lambs are proving a better option than store cattle and they are switching over.

“They’re splitting the risk and buying less cattle and more lambs now,” said Dingle Mart manager, Neilus McAulliffe.

“We had buyers from the west of Ireland here last weekend who would normally buy 100 to 200 lambs, but are doubling numbers as cattle are too dear.

“The live sheep trade is fantastic at the moment – we’ve had from €3.70/kg to €4/kg for lighter hill lambs, with more for crossbreds. Even breeding hoggets seem to be up €100 on last year. There are a few new buyers for heavy lambs too and they’re making more in the ring now, so farmers are considering their options.”

In south Kerry, Iveragh Co-op Mart manager, Mike Kissane said: “We’re seeing a bit of movement towards it. Farmers are afraid of the cattle trade the way it is and are a bit nervous about it. There’s big money involved and they’re buying more sheep than cattle at the moment.”

Kenmare Mart manager, Dan McCarthy noted more buyers from the local area as well as from further afield active for lambs: “There’s a lot heavier demand especially for the lighter lamb, it’s unreal. It’s a far cry from two years ago when you could hardly get a bid on them. They’re making €4 to €4.50/kg now. It’s serious money.

“Farmers are buying lambs because the cattle are too dear. We had 250 cattle last week and I’d say hardly 20 of them sold for less than €2,000. It’s unbelievable. My only concern is that the store lamb price isn’t far off the factory price.”

The surge in interest for sheep isn’t confined to Kerry. Macroom Mart put 2,000 sheep through the ring last Wednesday.

“That’s the first time that happened since 2002,” said manager, Jer O’Sullivan. “We’ve a few extra farmers looking for lambs that haven’t had them in years, but there’s no one new jumping into sheep.”