Sheep

With environmental considerations at the heart of management decisions on his Shropshire farm, Hugh Pocock set about finding the best livestock for the job. Clemmie Gleeson reports.

The poor trade for previously sought cattle and sheep hides is having an impact on farmgate returns, with Quality Meat Scotland estimating that cattle hides have dropped in value by 60 per cent and sheep skins by 70 per cent over five years.

An Irishman, a Welshman and an Englishman travelled to Scotland to shear sheep and this month the young shearers hit their goal, each shearing 400 plus sheep in a day. Well done lads.

The National Sheep Association has planned a series of virtual events for 2020 and early 2021.

Tight supplies are supporting beef prices, but increases may be limited by poor processor returns.

Lamb prices remain above those of last year, although values have weakened a little in recent weeks.

With a long-standing passion for the stratified sheep breeding system in the UK, Derek Hall is keen to promote Bluefaced Leicester and Mule breeding. Hannah Park reports.

For as long as he has been breeding sheep, Ian Murray has strived to be at the top of his game when it comes to producing stock for sale. Hannah Park reports.