Hoggets now 50c/kg ahead of 2017 levels
IF the forecasted snow materialises in some parts of the country, farmers’ concerns will be dominated by frozen pipes, getting fodder to out farms and, in the sheep sector, searching for ewes in snow drifts.
I’m told that those on the processing side of the business are watching the weather forecast with at least as much interest as the farming community. One factory representative I spoke with told me he was more concerned with how the UK road system would be affected than his ability to get product to an Irish port.
When I asked what the plan was in the event of snow, the reply was: “A hat, a scarf and we’ll sell it in Moore Street”.
Weather prospects aside, factory prices for hoggets continue to push upwards with official quotes this week up by between 5-10c/ kg with Kepak Athleague top of the pile on €5.45/kg plus bonuses.
Added to last week’s 20-25c/kg increase, factory prices for hogget are now from 50-65c/kg ahead of this time last year.
Next in the table after Kepak Athleague are Kildare Chilling on €5.40 plus 10c/kg bonus, the two ICM’s come in at €5.30+10c/ kg, Dawn Ballyhaunis are next on €5.30+5c/kg with Moyvalley Meats coming in on a straight €5.30/kg.
All in all, it’s a positive showing.
John Brooks of the ICSA says that while up to €5.70/ kg was got late last week, hogget prices this week have started on a softer note with the top reported yesterday to be in the region of €5.60/ kg.
The factories claim there is “no great life to the trade” on the retail side but at the same time admit supplies are just about keeping up with demand, which helps explain in part at least the recent increase in prices.
‘Dirty’ sheep
The ‘dirty’ sheep issue as it has become known appears to have eased into the background but it’s not gone away which was made plain by everyone I spoke to.
At the end of the day the whole thing boiled down simply to the question of who was going to shear the sheep if needed and how much that might cost at either farm or factory gate.
On a point of interest, I was recently told that factories in New Zealand pay a bonus if a farmer shears in advance of selling. Same problem, different attitude.