Industry in need of profit margins
IN common with the beef industry, sheep producers are hoping for an improvement in payments for their product from the big supermarket chains in 2007.
A decent profit is needed by Westcountry sheep farmers for the sector to survive and thrive – and this can only happen if all parts of the red-meat food chain, retailers as well as processors and producers, operate in a fair manner.
"Will our partners in the chain have the foresight to play their part and protect their supply base, thus allowing everyone to make money from the cost cutting, productivity improvements, and price rises that we all need to see?" asked Peter Morris, chief executive of the National Sheep Association.
The value of production of sheep and lambs increased by 2.7 per cent nationally last year, to £702 million – though the ouput of sheep is likely to remain unchanged this year, according to Government forecasts.
A major event, both regionally and nationally, in 2007 will be the staging of Sheep South West at Hornacott Barton, Boyton, north of Launceston, on June 12. Held every two years, it is expected to attract an attendance of more than 2,000 visitors from across a wide area.
The event acts as a central focus for all issues connected with the sheep industry, with trade exhibitors and breed societies’ stands, and will include an Open Question Forum, when producers and consumers will be able to consult a panel of industry experts.
There will also be tours of the farm, where Garth and Sue Martyn run 800 breeding ewes.
