Sheep Economics

Animals raised for meat are subject to fluctuating prices in the market, despite the constantly rising cost of feed and care. Hay in this area is fifty dollars a bale, plus transport, which is thirteen dollars per bale to go a mere 17 kilometers. Of course, the hauler has to pay the increased fuel costs and repair costs for maintenance too. But the market cost of sheep does not follow the increase. Why? Last year sheep were a great investment with lamb fetching high prices, but this year, for no apparent reason, the lamb price is less than a dollar a pound on the hoof. The grocery stores are still selling lamb for exorbitant prices though and do not reflect the low market value the farmer is offered. So, this year, I am weighing the cost of feeding the lambs or selling them. Because they are strictly grass fed and have not had antibiotics, vaccines or chemical wormers, they can be shipped to the organic meat farm, which will grow them out and butcher them, selling the cuts to the grocery stores and specialty market. Yet, I have cannot sell lamb for grocery prices in this area. Another question of why? Why is it that people buying organic farm raised lamb from the farmer expect to pay next to nothing while they will gladly pay inflated prices from a local chain grocer? Our perception must change if farmers are going to continue raising animals for food.

Currently, the Fat Ewe Farm has a wonderful lamb crop with most ewes delivering twins. There are purebred, non registered Icelandic lambs, registered Cotswold lambs or a starter flock even, and Cotswold cross lambs that will not be bred at this farm. The question is, is it best to keep them until spring and sell them then, hoping that the prices will have stabilized or rather, just get rid of them so they do not have to be fed all winter? What a decision.

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