Lamb price drop alarm for local farmers

SCORES of farmers in the Mid-Antrim area could be facing even tighter finance problems due to a significant drop in lamb prices.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Jul 2013, 13:02 BST

Raising sheep is a mainstay for many local farmers and the drop in prices has been described as ‘alarming’.

Ulster Farmers’ spokesman Robert Davidson said factory quotes falling back from 455p/kg to below £4/kg.

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He added; “Farmers are concerned that lamb prices have fallen so quickly in recent weeks given that many producers are still suffering the after effects of the first half of this year’s horrendous weather and feed costs. Producers are aware that the lamb trade normally comes under some pressure at this time of year when more lambs are coming forward.

“However, it is alarming to see such a significant drop in price within such a short period of time. The kill has increased slightly this year but not enough to warrant such a rapid nosedive in prices.