Current spring lamb prices must be maintained through to the end of the season if sheep farming is to remain viable, according to Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA) chair Willie Shaw.
“Spring lamb producers need to see prices maintained at or around the €10/kg mark right through to September," he said.
“It is simply not good enough for farmers to get one good month in the year and then be expected to carry losses for the remainder of the season.”
Shaw said keeping sheep involved year-round costs and work that could not be justified on the basis of a short period of strong prices.
“Farmers are buying feed, fertiliser and meal and paying contractors and transport costs across the year. Sheep have to be managed seven days a week. There has to be a margin there across the season.”
CSO data
He said the latest CSO figures show sheep numbers are continuing to fall.
“Between January and April this year, 38,000 fewer sheep came through factories compared to the same period last year, while April alone was down by over 32,000 head. People will not stay at sheep farming if they feel they are working all year for nothing.”
Factory quotes
He said factories were this week moving too quickly to cut quotes, despite supplies remaining tight.
“A lot of good sheep have already gone and there is no flood of lambs out there. Farmers should resist these attempts to cut prices because there is nothing on the ground to justify factories trying to force prices back.”
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Current spring lamb prices must be maintained through to the end of the season if sheep farming is to remain viable, according to Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA) chair Willie Shaw.
“Spring lamb producers need to see prices maintained at or around the €10/kg mark right through to September," he said.
“It is simply not good enough for farmers to get one good month in the year and then be expected to carry losses for the remainder of the season.”
Shaw said keeping sheep involved year-round costs and work that could not be justified on the basis of a short period of strong prices.
“Farmers are buying feed, fertiliser and meal and paying contractors and transport costs across the year. Sheep have to be managed seven days a week. There has to be a margin there across the season.”
CSO data
He said the latest CSO figures show sheep numbers are continuing to fall.
“Between January and April this year, 38,000 fewer sheep came through factories compared to the same period last year, while April alone was down by over 32,000 head. People will not stay at sheep farming if they feel they are working all year for nothing.”
Factory quotes
He said factories were this week moving too quickly to cut quotes, despite supplies remaining tight.
“A lot of good sheep have already gone and there is no flood of lambs out there. Farmers should resist these attempts to cut prices because there is nothing on the ground to justify factories trying to force prices back.”
Read more
Cattle and sheep kills down in first four months of 2026
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