Sheep farmers despondent as downward lamb price spiral continues

IT HAS been another dull week for the lamb trade, as prices continue to slip sharply downwards, leaving sheep farmers disappointed and despondent about where the sheep industry is heading.

Officially quoted prices at the factories had dropped a further 15 cents/kg (5p/lb) compared to a week earlier.

The general base quote on offer was 420 cents/kg (150p/lb), with the usual 6 cents/kg (2p/lb) bonus for quality lambs.