The store lamb markets across the UK have now entered their seasonal selling period, with strong demand helping to significantly increase early sales. Trade is running around £15 per head ahead of last season and the best-quality lambs achieving more than £140 per head.

 

According to Alister Davies, Commercial Manager Beef & Sheep at ForFarmers UK, the figures reinforce the value of presenting lambs in the best possible condition before sale.

 

 

Mr Davies says investing in nutrition immediately after weaning is one of the most cost-effective ways to maximise sale value.

 

"Spending around £10-£15 per lamb on ForFarmers P09612 Lamb Finisher 16 LVL is a straightforward investment. It's a high quality, practical feed that contains Levucell live yeast to help support rumen function and consistent performance. At this time of year, it's also incredibly easy to feed, whether through hoppers, troughs or snackers on the ground."

 

For producers purchasing these high-value store lambs and taking them on, finishing efficiency becomes even more important.

 

"At £140 per head, many buyers are purchasing short-keep lambs rather than stores they'll be carrying for months. That means every day counts, and finishing efficiency becomes even more important if you're going to protect your margin."

 

For these systems, Mr Davies recommends Ewbol POWER Lamb, which has been developed to maximise feed efficiency and support rapid finishing.

 

"Since its launch, customers have consistently reported how quickly Ewbol POWER Lamb puts condition onto lambs, with some batches finished in as little as two weeks. 

 

"The POWER technology encourages saliva production, helping to reduce the risk of acidosis, while the essential oil package improves the utilisation of starch and protein through the digestive system. The result is improved feed conversion efficiency and higher killing-out percentages.

 

"When lamb values are this high, improving finishing efficiency can make a real difference to profitability."