- Location
- East Sussex
I don't believe the Hill shepherd does get a fair deal, but you could also say the same for all the store lamb producers over the last few years. I would guess that far more than 50% of farmers have not benefitted at all from the recent higher prices as most would have sold out by the end of October.
Unless they have kept their own replacements they are going to struggle to afford replacements this coming Autumn.
There are some large sheep farms in the south and east who have low input sheep and no staff and just sell everything as stores from August through to November. Simple systems, mostly based on Romney or Romney cross, April lambing on all grass, lambing % under 150%.
The last few years it has only just worked so they will be hoping this new price level will be maintained and stores will be £80 plus!
Unless they have kept their own replacements they are going to struggle to afford replacements this coming Autumn.
There are some large sheep farms in the south and east who have low input sheep and no staff and just sell everything as stores from August through to November. Simple systems, mostly based on Romney or Romney cross, April lambing on all grass, lambing % under 150%.
The last few years it has only just worked so they will be hoping this new price level will be maintained and stores will be £80 plus!