SHEEP producers have been told not to lose heart at the current depressed lamb prices.

Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association (NSA), urged them to stay positive as they could quickly pick up again.

He said the current situation was due to a number of factors – the strength of the pound; the economic situation on the continent; increased New Zealand supplies in UK supermarkets; earlier lambing in some regions allowing earlier new season lamb sales; and larger carry-over of old season lambs from 2014.

"While this has created an unfortunate 'perfect storm' to push the lamb price down, it also means the sheep sector should not lose heart, as it would only take one or two factors to change for there to be an uplift in the price," Mr Stocker said.

"NSA encourages producers to get old season lambs (hoggs) fit and into the food chain as soon as they are ready and meet market specifications.

"This will make way for new season stock coming through, as although the price for these is disappointing, it is being held back further by the carry-over of hoggs.

"We understand that too many overweight old season lambs have been coming through (48kg+), which undoubtedly depresses the market, so the message for the sheep sector is to get lambs fit –– not fat – and get them away."

He urged UK retailers not to avoid paying for premium UK lamb by stocking up with New Zealand lamb as, in the long-term, it would threaten the viability of sheep farms and future domestic supplies.

Mr Stocker said: "This is an incredibly frustrating time for sheep farmers, but the sector should remain positive as the factors currently combining to depress trade are not permanent in nature.

"Some of these factors are outside all of our control but others, such as stimulating demand by increasing export market, is something the sector is working on.

"And one thing that is always within farmers’ control is on-farm efficiencies. Producing lamb in as cost-effective a manner as possible is crucial, regardless of what happens beyond the farm gate."