Sheep farms in Ireland are in crisis because of market prices

Sheep farms are in crisis because current market prices do not reflect “higher production costs on farms”, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has warned today (Wednesday, January 11). Kevin Comiskey, chair of the IFA’s national sheep committee, has strongly criticised factories for further cuts on lamb prices. Comiskey said the weakening of lamb prices at a time when production costs are at an all-time high “is not acceptable”. He detailed that factories were “imposing weight cuts on lambs in an attempt to flatten prices” and said this sent “negative messages” to farmers committed to finishing lambs. “Factories have failed to provide strong and meaningful prices to farmers who have invested in finishing lambs throughout this period and this week in particular which only serves to undermine confidence in the sector,” Comiskey added According to the IFA sheep chair, input costs on sheep farms have increased in the past 12 months by over 40%. Comiskey said sheep farmers do not have ...