Store lamb

Green farmer

Thinking of buying some store lambs this winter as will have extra capacity in terms of grazing and fodder (hay, silage). Any insight on how to make a return on this, thanks

MayoAreMagic

Don't go buying the cheapest of the cheap. They will take a long time to get up to the mark and you will probably lose one or two in the process. Get a healthy looking gang of lambs with decent frames, even if you have to pay a small bit more. You will save money in the long run.

What breed are you thinking of going for?

Green farmer

Im set up for and run all crossbreed lowland sheep , but don't mind something with a hill mother as long as the father was a terminal breed, so texel x, Suffolk x type of sheep, is what I'm aiming for.

farm14

30kg lambs is what I buy mostly but id buy heavier only if they were cheap. Imo id try to not spend over €60 on a lamb. My system is grass or stubble for few weeks then ad lib meal. Going well to make about a tenner a head after all costs.

Green farmer

Just digging up old thread. Was planning on buying stores, but felt the price of them is too expensive this year. Anyone else think the same ?

ganmo

Ya it was good crac alright sellin them. We've enough left here though

Green farmer

I'd be feeding them on bought in ration etc, so present prices don't make sense to me, especially when I saw what I was getting for my 45kg lambs recently. However if the cattle trade got fixed we might see a surplus of store lambs reintering the market. Pity as was hoping to have a batch of them to sell next April when the money is tight. :-)

ganmo

Keep an eye out ya might be able to pick up a bargain with lads sellin off odds and ends as they gear up for lambin

northdub14

ganmo wrote: »

Keep an eye out ya might be able to pick up a bargain with lads sellin off odds and ends as they gear up for lambin

This might happen sooner than you think with all the rain that's falling.. Not good when ye can hear ewes feet sloshing on the ground..