Sheep Marketing
Marketing of Prime lamb is perhaps more challenging than the marketing of some other agricultural products. This is due in part to the lack of a federally inspected processing plants in Manitoba, and the shortage of provincial plants close to Winnipeg. Other challenges include a shortage of lambs of consistent quality at certain times of the year, and a glut at other times. This results in peaks and troughs in lamb prices and difficulties in cash flow predictions. Overall, lamb prices have been consistently high for the past three years. With expansion in sheep numbers, an increasing producer awareness on the need to produce a quality product, competition among order buyers are ensuring a reasonable return. Livestock auction markets around the Province are also showing an increasing interest in selling all categories of lamb. Current prices updated weekly can be obtained on the web.