Sheep super group

Mayo sheep farmers are proving that there really is strength in numbers, writes Claire Mc Cormack

ASHEEP farmer super group in the west is proving that flocking together in numbers is key to the future prosperity of the industry.

The Lake District Sheep Producers, set up a decade ago, is comprised of three individual sub-groups: ‘Mayo Mule and Greyface Group,’ (breeders) ‘South Mayo Quality Lamb Producers Group’ (factory stock) and ‘Mayo Mountain Blackface Sheep Breeders Society,’ (breeders and factory stock).

Each group was individually established, some more than 30 years ago, by a few enthusiastic, forward-thinking farmers responding to a situation where it was increasingly difficult to source quality breeding sheep in substantial numbers. They also wanted to develop lasting relationships with factories and ensure decent financial returns. The groups compliment the Teagasc technology programme by sending out key grassland and breeding messages that will increase returns to a sector that’s under severe financial pressure.

Speaking to the Farming Independent at the super group’s office in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, Tom Staunton, treasurer of the Mayo Mule and in Greyface Group, founded in 1984 with just three members, says the amalgamation has brought huge benefits.

“The groups that operate out of this office have great advantages over someone trying to market their own sheep – you have the finance behind you so from a marketing viewpoint we’ve more leverage,” he said.

Financially, he says farmers could “easily” yield a 10-20pc premium by signing up.

“If we market our lambs and hoggets well we get a lot of customers and that drives up price. If you get 50 customers you could get premium of €30 or €40,” he said.

Currently there are 65 members in the group, producing more than 4,000 mule lambs and ewe hoggets each year with the same buyers returning.

John Noonan, Teagasc advisor, says high membership creates an ambitious edge.

“There is competition among the group as well and that drives quality so people who aren’t in the group find it harder. All the lambs and hoggets each year would be really good quality. If you came with poor quality you would almost be embarrassed,” he said.

Teagasc have played a vital role in bringing the different groups under the Lake District umbrella.

Anthony Fadden says the Mayo Mule and Greyface Group have a waiting list of 12 potential members - all of whom must pay an annual fee €50. Each group has their own rules and regulations.

“You have to keep reminding people about the weights of the lambs and the quality - you want a standard,” he said. The standard is 40kg minimum weight for the majority of their lambs at the first sale so they can all be bred that year.

Respect

They say factories show “more respect” when dealing with a producer group compared to the ordinary lone farmer.

Patrick Waldron of the South Mayo Quality Lamb Producers, set up in 1988 to get a market for factory lambs, says the group has ballooned from 40 to 190 members, and produces 21,000 lambs a year.

“You’ve a stronger voice and more control of your sales. It gives the farmer a bit more bargaining power too because you’re going to the factory with a large number of lambs instead of a lad with maybe only 100 lambs to kill in the year,” he said.

“If there are over 20,000 lambs going out a factory is going to want to play ball. You are guaranteed that they are going to be killed that week - they won’t hold them over,” he said.

Haulage is another pull factor - all members avail of the same haulier which brings subsidies of up to €2 per lamb. Small farmers and big farmers are treated equally.

John Noonan said: “if you even want to haul two or three small individual lambs you can do that. It’s the same for a small guy with 30 or 40 lambs as it is for the guy with 300 or 400. Small farmers and big farmers are all treated the same which improves fairness because the small guy usually gets shafted”.

Eamonn Patten, local Teagasc advisor, says labour is also reduced.

“It’s time saving and conven- ience, you’ll drop your lambs off to the haulier on a Sunday evening and you’re finished with them, they are killed on a Monday and you get your cheque in the post,” he said.

Like the suckler herd na-

THE GROUPS THAT OPERATE OUT OF THIS OFFICE HAVE A GREAT ADVANTAGE OVER PEOPLE TRYING TO MARKET THEIR OWN SHEEP