Latest UK flock figures point to tighter supply

THE UK flock decreased by 785,800 head to 31 million - the smallest flock size recorded for 13 years the recently published UK June Survey shows.

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Defra data indicates the total sheep and lamb population in the UK fell by 2.5 per cent year on-year from 31.8 million to 31.0 million head in June 2024.

Detailed analysis of the June survey statistics can be found in this December's Hybu Cig Cymru Meat Promotion Wales' (HCC) Market Bulletin, where Glesni Phillips considers a decline in reductions across most sheep categories.

"The female breeding flock fell by 3.6 per cent to 14.9 million head, with those intended for first time breeding driving this decline down nine per cent on the year, which may indicate reduced replacements entering the breeding cycle," she reflected.

"The results also indicate the lamb crop that's those aged under one year old - fell by 1.5 per cent to stand at 15.2 million head." Glesni, who is HCC's Intelligence, Analysis & Business Insight Executive, said this decrease had already impacted on slaughter availability for the current lamb crop.