[ScotsGirl]

I have two registered pedigree Suffolk ewes which I bought last year (well OH bought!!) for a substantial sum of money although they were in lamb.  Dilemma is I want to sell but think they were overpriced.  What is a fair value to expect?  They have both been tupped by pedigree rams so would be sold in lamb.

Any guidance appreciated.  I also have a ewe lamb to sell and was thinking between £120-150. Is this too much/not enough?

[mart2671]

How old r the ewes ? commercially there worth about £100 to £120 and ewe lamb between £80 and £100 but at the end of the day you have to get someone to buy them , You would probably get more money selling with there lambs . The issue is i know there pedigree but you still need a buyer may b look on Suffolk Breed Society website see if any breeders near you and ring and ask them with the breeding they are what they are worth.

[SteveHants]

I bought in-lamb ewes (not suffolks) last year for 130 ish, scanned at 206%.....


Id say your estimate is pretty fair, actually.

[Mallows Flock]

My sheep farmer neighbour sold his at market 3 weeks ago for  £75 ewe lamb 40kg. Ram lambs only got between 62 and 65 quid a piece 39kg! All pedigree.South West UK so whether price varies here I am unsure!

[ScotsGirl]

Always the same, when you want to buy pices are high and when you want to sell prices are low!

I can't believe how little he got. I can get £120 in a box so even after slaughter costs I am better off.  Anyway managed to sell one ewe and her lamb with the tup. 

Just one left but guessing it is going to be harder to sell just one.  Very annoyed breeder sold me related stock, even more annoying too far away to do anything about.

[SteveHants]

Sheep and lamb prices last year were stupidly high (not that I complained at the time, mind).   


They still seem to be fairly reasonable by me - fat lambs making 60-70ish.


It wasn't that long ago lambs were making £25/head.


I sell in a box for £150, but in the end I probably make much the same on a lamb I get £70 for live, when you count slaughter, cutting, packing, pretrol and my time for doing all this.


I wouldn't expect to see a return to last years prices unless the euro mysteriously recovers....

[Mallows Flock]

I agree Steve... when I worked out my costs, it is as cheap for me to sell live for £65 (and quicker, easier, happier - for me) than to sell boxed up. I much prefer this and so far all my lambs have gone to good homes. I think in some cases people want to buy stock cheap and sell as best prices but there just isn't the market for people buying sheep at top dollar unless top breeding lines/show champions etc etc. With so many sheep about, esp commercials,and not humongous amounts of buyers, sheep are going to be cheaper right now. When I go to watch the markets, there are maybe 200 lots and only 3 main people buying! Not much inertia to push the bidding up!