Demand outstrips supply of Swaledales

By Jeremy Hunt

DEMAND for Swaledale ewes is outstripping supply at such an alarming rate that it could be several years before flocks slaughtered during the foot-and-mouth crisis are replaced.

Prices have reached new levels as buyers and auctioneers search the northern counties for stock. Estimates suggest that 50% of the entire breeding stock of Swaledale sheep has been lost.

Auctioneers throughout the Swaledale-rich counties of Cumbria, Co Durham, Northumberland and North Yorkshire are seeing the biggest demand for sheep, but reckon finding replacements is just part of the complexity of restocking.

Auctioneer Stuart Bell of Penrith Farmers and Kidds says: “Swaledale shearling ewes are 120-150 and even older ewes are making 100-110. Top quality ewes with tup breeding potential are well into four figures.”

“The problem will be getting sheep on to farms in Cumbria. Some farmers are prepared to do a deal now and keep ewes until buyers get the green light to restock, but that could take months.

“It will put high-up hill farms under a great deal of pressure if they have to carry large numbers of in-lamb ewes into the New Year,” says Mr Bell.