One of the better years for sheep farmers

ANY review of 2010 will show that it has been one of the better years for sheep farmers in decades, with a recovery in the trade bringing a welcome reprieve for farmers and processors.

The long-term shrinkage in the national flock was a contributor to improved farm gate prices in 2010.

Throughput of lambs at factories fell by a further 11%, to about 1.75 million head. The improved prices encouraged farmers to hold onto stock, there was a 21% fall in disposals of cast ewes and rams, to less than 280,000 head for the year. Total throughput at the factories fell 12.4%.