In early October, Defra (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) released the provisional UK June survey results. However, for timing reasons these did not take account of any specific trends in Wales.
The results of the Welsh June survey have now been released by the Welsh assembly, and DAERA (Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) Northern Ireland has released the final results for Northern Ireland, meaning AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) can now estimate the size of the UK lamb crop.
AHDB calculates that the total number of UK lambs that were on farm on 1 June 2018 was 720,000 head below year earlier levels. Due to approximately 270,000 head fewer new season lambs being slaughtered in the first five months of 2018, AHDB now estimates that the UK lamb crop was approximately 900,000 head smaller than in 2017 which is very close to the figure released in the April 2018 forecast, when the scale of the effect that the "beast from the east" had had on lambing became apparent. The UK lamb crop stands at close to 17m head for 2018.
Since the survey was taken at 1 June, a large number of those lambs have already come forward for slaughter. Defra estimates the number of lambs slaughtered between June and October this year total 5,547,000 head, 5 per cent (287,000 head) down on year earlier levels.
Market round-up
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold a couple of prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 220p per kg and an average of 219p.
In the rough ring 28 beef cows sold to 150p and averaged 105p, while 43 dairy cows peaked at 87p and levelled at 72p.
The firm also sold 872 prime lambs to a top of £82 per head and 195p per kg to average 172p (+1p on the week).
The 418 cast sheep forward also met a sharper trade on the week with heavy ewes selling to £153.50 for Texels and averaging £65, while light/export-type ewes peaked at £72.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £39.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 994 prime lambs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £83 and 203.9p to average 174.2p (+6.7p).
Cast sheep were also dearer than last week with 105 heavy ewes selling to £100 for Texels and averaging £58.60, while 113 light ewes peaked at £69 and levelled at £40.80.
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