NFU welcomes new sheep prices
By Olivia Cooper
THE NFU has welcomed a new deadweight sheep price survey launched by the Meat and Livestock Commission.
Results of the survey will be published weekly, with prices classified by conformation and fat class.
NFU deputy president, Tim Bennett, says: “Accurate and transparent price reporting has been sadly lacking in recent months following the temporary closure of all livestock markets in England and Wales.”
“I very much hope the MLC will be able to increase the amount of sheep production covered by this survey.”
The report currently covers nearly a quarter of UK clean sheep production, and David Croston, MLCs head of sheep strategy, expects that to increase to 35% of the weekly national kill.
“Producers are having to sell on a deadweight basis due to foot-and-mouth restrictions, which is unusual for them,” he says.
“It is even more important to have price transparency now, so farmers know where to pitch lamb prices.”
The weekly prices will be available in the markets section of FARMERS WEEKLY, and are included in FWIs pig and sheep deadweight prices.