Concern over fall in lamb production

A LEADING auctioneer has voiced his concern over a significant drop in the numbers of lambs going under the hammer in Sutherland.

United Auction’s general manager for the area Donald Young said the total number of lambs sold at Lairg this year stood at 19,256 – well down on previous years.

Mr Young was speaking at the second lamb sale of the year, held at the Lairg mart last Tuesday – the first sale was held in mid-August.

He said "The numbers have been dropping year on year and that is very serious for our rural economy."

A total of 6652 lambs were presented for sale on Tuesday with 5124 wedders averaging £46.80 and 1438 ewes averaging £50.72.

Leading prices for wedders: £62.50 D Clarke, Rannich; £62 I MacLeod, 246 Torrisdale; £61 Latheronwheel Mains; £60 G Ross, 186 Migdale and N MacKay, Kirtomy. Ewe: £90 Latheronwheel Mains; £88 I Robertson, Inkstack; £85 G Ross, 186 Migdale; £76 D Snody, Cassley.

According to the auctioneer, the stock was not in as good a condition as last year because of the extremely difficult weather conditions that farmers have had to face during the past year.

Producers have had to contend with a wet autumn in 2017, the Beast from the East storm in the spring followed by a scorching summer that affected crop growth.

Mr Young said: "The lambs put forward today didn’t have the same bloom as last year, but we must bear in mind the difficult weather conditions since tupping last year."

However, while were still many excellent pens of quality lambs on offer, buyers were in short supply. There were no buyers from Yorkshire present because, it was said, of a severe lack of grazing and fodder due to the prolonged drought.

The sale did, though, attract a number of buyers from other parts of England.

A group of pupils from Tongue Primary School attended the auction with their teacher, Julie Thompson Hunter. Also present was parent council chairman Andrew Gordon.

A number of crofters donated a lamb each to raise funds for a school trip.

Those around the ring caught the spirit of the moment and very quickly the four school lambs fetched £51 each.

Ms Hunter Thompson said she was delighted at the crofters’ generosity.

"The amount raised £204 – is a great boost to our funds," she said.

Ms Thompson Hunter added that it was important that children from crofting townships should experience a working auction mart and learn about the importance of agriculture to the county.