Industry

Question 1

Lowland vs hill

Answer 1

Farmers 6:4 sheep 55:45 Hill is popular along the west coast and
Wicklow moundtains eg Kerry and Donegal. Lowlands= midlands,south east eg
offaly, Westmeath, Carlow More sheep in western counties

Question 2

Population

Answer 2

(As of dec 2023) 3,995,000 sheep. Reduction since 2021

Question 3

Trends

Answer 3

Reduction in sucklers, large increase in Dairy, slight increase in sheep.
(since 2013) Farmers returning to mixed enterprises.

Question 4

Irish slaughter 23

Answer 4

Hogget slaughter highest in recent records, sharp reduction in
ewe and ram slaughter. £7.20/kg (lamb) up 60c
The above price improvements eroded by production costs. In 22 Total avg
production costs up 28% ( feed, fert, electricity, fuel, payments, other)
23 has seen a 5% reduction on 22

Question 5

Market supply demand

Answer 5

As sheep supply for throughput is high in later summer
months prices drop. Prices peak from March to June due to a lower supply and a
high demand due to religious festives such as easter, ramadam etc.

Question 6

Northern Ireland

Answer 6

Accounts for 15% of sheep kill 2022. (imported)

Question 7

Irish sheep meat exports.

Answer 7

£440 mil, mainly to EU, UK and Swizerland

Question 8

Europe

Answer 8

Uk, Spain, Romania, France, Ireland. Uk= 31% Ireland =6%
Eu production is falling due to a reduction in consumption.

Question 9

N.Z Imports to Europe

Answer 9

N.Z Imports have reduced drastically allowing Ireland to
incrace exports to countries such as Swizerland and Germany.

Question 10

U.K

Answer 10

5% reduction in total number of sheep in Dec 2023, Exports decreasing, Eu
imports increasing, NZ imports reducing, Sheep meat = 5% of meat consumption, important for Irish mutton market
France = 50% of uk imports.

Question 11

GLOBAL

Answer 11

Sheep meat = 5% global meat consumption peak periods = religious
festivals. Muslim countries higher % consumption.
Cheaper proteins such as chicken grow, sheep too expensive
Rising Muslim population in EU increases consumption
Aus and NZ largest exporters 38% and 30%
China is largest Importer
Aus and Nz meat cheaper £3.30/kg

Question 12

Nz Production

Answer 12

Numbers decrease but productivity increases population down 18% in 10 years
Rely heavily on china. 50% exports

Question 13

Aus Production

Answer 13

71.4 million flock, reduction on 22(less ewe lambs being raised as mother) 11% rise
in meat (more productive)

Question 14

Challenges to the Sector

Answer 14

Profitability: 7£ net margin per ewe in 2022
 Low flock numbers: 65% of sheep farms have less then 100 ewes
 Age profile: Not enough young farmers. Young farmers pursuing Dairy
 European lamb consumption

Question 15

Threats to sector

Answer 15

Nature restoration focus on hill and mountains
Reduction in meat consumption (vegans, cruelty etc)

Question 16

Opportunities

Answer 16

Sustainable: satisfies numerous form to fork goals
Cap financial rewards
Utilises highlands

Question 17

Unknown variables

Answer 17

War, weather, skilled work force available, inflation, global health chrisis e.g covid
19

Question 18

Production Factors

Answer 18

Higher lamb mortality, Lower confidence, Slaughter of ewe hoggets Spring lamb
declining, Higher drafting of cull ewes, Performance curtailed

Question 19

Treacability:

Answer 19

eid tag.
Cap, ACRES, Organic Farming Scheme