Outlook 2020: Virus downturn threat to domestic sheep demand

Trying to summarise the prospects for the year ahead and beyond for this sector of the industry has never been more difficult, writes Andersons consultant David Siddle.

Some continued contraction in the breeding flock seems the most likely outcome with Brexit uncertainties in the short term and changes to farm support payments in the longer term.

Low levels of profitability (excluding support payments) for many and an ageing work force of family labour – on which much of the sector depends – are likely to continue to put pressure on flock numbers.

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Sheepmeat production in the 2020 calendar year is forecast to decline by 7% with the lamb kill down 4% and the ewe kill down 9%.

The immediate impact of Covid-19 in terms of the closure of restaurants, and perhaps longer in terms of personal finances, suggests consumption levels are likely to continue to decline.

Lamb is a relatively expensive and premium meat choice for most consumers, often eaten out of the home.

Recent sheep meat prices have been underpinned by reduced levels of imports from New Zealand, both to the UK and the EU, with supplies tight following drought.

Strong demand from China which has a shortage of meat as a result of swine fever severely reducing its pig herd has also diverted New Zealand sheep meat exports from both UK and EU markets with this looking set to continue into 2021.

Export trade

Brexit permitting, there remains a great opportunity to continue to build on the successful export trade which has built up over many years.

In addition, the sector must look to deliver a high-quality, consistent, premium product to the UK retail sector which is, at least for now, looking for a home-produced product.

However, even with a positive Brexit outcome, with a free trade deal with the EU, we would expect both production and consumption to continue to trend downwards.

Being able to adapt and change the way farming practices have traditionally been carried out is now, more than ever, crucial for success.

Adapt to improve

Results from the Welsh Red Meat Benchmarking Study carried out by Andersons shows a huge variation in performance in sheep farming businesses.

As well as output, the three most influential factors contributing to the differences in financial performance are:

• Minimising overhead costs – The best operators keep lambing short and have developed systems and breeding that reduce labour input at this busiest time. They also operate with a minimum of machinery, using contractors where possible
• Understanding the market – The best businesses are not hung up on breeds or non-commercial traits. They are able to deliver a consistent product which may not top the market, but one which is sought after, can be produced from a low-cost base, and hence give the best chance of selling for a profit
• Focusing on relevant detail – If you want to improve something, you need to measure it, analyse it, benchmark it, research it again and then change something to improve it.This is where KPIs and benchmarking can be beneficial.Sheep flock KPIs include lambs reared per 100 ewes to the ram, percentage of lamb losses from scanning to finishing and average daily liveweight gain.

It has been widely proven that the factors mentioned above (reducing overhead costs, understanding the market and measuring performance) will regularly place farmers into the top quartile of performance when exercised effectively.