Worries for farmers as Welsh lamb price drops

The price of Welsh lamb has fallen to £1.36p per kilo – 65p lower than the same week last year. Farmers and shoppers in Mid Wales today voiced their concern over the future – and warned some could be forced to reconsider their livelihoods as farmers see their incomes slashed.

Ed Bailey, NFU Cymru president, said hill and upland livestock farmers were seeing their incomes slashed by more than half.

Mr Bailey said: "NFU Cymru estimates that hill sheep incomes are down by around 56 per cent compared to a year ago.

"Hill cattle and sheep and upland cattle and sheep figures, despite the strong beef market, are a little better.

"Over the last couple of years we have seen a welcome increase in our breeding flock, reversing the longer-term trend that had seen a loss of over one million breeding ewes from Wales between 2001 and 2009.

"Despite the fact that I remain optimistic for the long-term prospects of the Welsh sheep industry, I am however concerned that recent events will make a number of producers consider their future plans."

At Welshpool Livestock Market yesterday, sheep farmer Norman Davies, from Abermule, near Newtown, said: "It has been a tough time for sheep farmers."

Shopper Charlotte Hopkinson, 32, from Welshpool, said: "I always try and do my bit to help Welsh farmers and try and buy local where and when I can. It is vital that we support our own."

Red meat promotion agency Hybu Cig Cymru said a perfect storm of factors had combined to hit Welsh lamb.

Dai Davies, HCC chairman, said the weather, the financial crisis in the Eurozone and the rising costs of feed had hit farmers.