Is it worth lambing early anymore

[Northeastfarmer]

well is it? Spring lambs hardly a flyer and a glut of Hoggs into may, is it worth the expensive of lambing at Christmas-January?

 

[sam1]

Nope. Lambed in April this year rather than early February. Best thing we've done here and comparing the costs, will be sticking to April

 

[Hampton]

well is it? Spring lambs hardly a flyer and a glut of Hoggs into may, is it worth the expensive of lambing at Christmas-January?

I sold all my lambs for over £82 last year. What were you getting for Hoggs last year?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

I sold all my lambs for over £82 last year. What were you getting for Hoggs last year?

I'd have to check but I'd guess £90-£110

 

[polk_farmer]

I can't see it is here, lambed them all in march rather than split January and April lambings

 

[Hampton]

I'd have to check but I'd guess £90-£110

Last year? Are you sure?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Last year? Are you sure?

Positive

 

[Hampton]

View attachment 516184
View attachment 516186
Positive

Fair enough
Awful lot of Hoggs making 60-70 quid around this way for much of last year and part of this.

 

[gone up the hill]

Depends on may factors but if you can get £80+ for early lambs that are only on farm between 12/20 weeks and then re stock with store lambs after silage for £50 has got to be better than lambing in April and keeping them for 12 months to make £90.

 

[Jerry]

Outside and early works if you have the right ground, grub and breeding. But not too early.

Nov born not worth it.

 

[canam1]

Sold new season lambs yesterday 78 days old on average no creep feeding 46kg £112
42kg £105

 

[sherg]

If I had the ground for it I would lamb end of feb beginning of march and start selling lambs end of may beginning of june, I cant see much point in trying to sell springers at the beginning of may

 

[Northeastfarmer]

If I had the ground for it I would lamb end of feb beginning of march and start selling lambs end of may beginning of june, I cant see much point in trying to sell springers at the beginning of may

Definitely

 

[GTB]

Sold new season lambs yesterday 78 days old on average no creep feeding 46kg £112
42kg £105

What breed? That's good going.

 

[GTB]

I was talking to a couple of neighbours the other day and the discussion was whether it was worth keeping and lambing sheep at all. Both of them proper hill farms traditionally producing light lambs. IIRC light lambs were about £3.30/kg dw in Nov/Dec last year so 12kg lamb about £40 before deductions. Complete waste of time IMO and a total non starter without subs I'd say.

 

[hindmaist]

It depends on your farm and your labour profile.

 

[canam1]

What breed? That's good going.

Suffolk lambs.

 

[GTB]

It depends on your farm and your labour profile.

What's a labour profile?

 

[sherg]

I was talking to a couple of neighbours the other day and the discussion was whether it was worth keeping and lambing sheep at all. Both of them proper hill farms traditionally producing light lambs. IIRC light lambs were about £3.30/kg dw in Nov/Dec last year so 12kg lamb about £40 before deductions. Complete waste of time IMO and a total non starter without subs I'd say.

The light lamb job has all but gone these hill ewes are going to have to get a bit bigger

 

[gone up the hill]

I was talking to a couple of neighbours the other day and the discussion was whether it was worth keeping and lambing sheep at all. Both of them proper hill farms traditionally producing light lambs. IIRC light lambs were about £3.30/kg dw in Nov/Dec last year so 12kg lamb about £40 before deductions. Complete waste of time IMO and a total non starter without subs I'd say.

Numbers game post subs.

I have been talking to a farmer in NZ, they run 1400 grazing cattle and lamb 3500 ewes ( 150% ) with just the manager/ retired owner and one farm worker and that includes at lambing time, sheep are left to get on with it and in her words, if they live they live if they die they die..

That is what UK farming will have to adopt post subs im afraid.

Thou they have FAR LESS paperwork/ red tape than we do which helps with workload massively.