CAN you afford not to buy a top quality Suffolk ram this autumn? Have you, as a commercial sheep producer, been able to take advantage of the recent hike in lamb prices sparked by the foot and mouth outbreaks in recent weeks? To some both questions might not seem that important but on closer examination they could be the key, particularly this year, to profitable lamb production.

Last week, due the foot and mouth outbreak in Egham, deadweight quotes for Northern Ireland lambs increased significantly from £2.20 to £2.70/kg or in layman's terms at least £10/lamb.

Were you in a position to milk this substantial hike? If not, why not?

Since the initial outbreak early last month sheep producers, many of whom off-loaded lambs at premium rates, have been keeping a razor-sharp eye on the market to gauge if another hike was in the pipeline.

Having achieved well in excess of £50 a head at the time of the first outbreak around Pirbright many farmers have been reluctant to take their lambs to market after trade slipped back considerably.

Now those very same producers are reaping the rewards for their patience as buyers and processors set out to fill the void left in the French market, following the temporary ending of exports from Britain.

This recent unpredictability of the marketplace highlights just how important it is for commercial sheep men to have flexibility and growth rate, as well as producing lambs with excellent conformation.

Suffolk bred lambs tick all the right boxes in this respect. Should the market be depressed farmers can afford to hold on and allow their Suffolk lambs to put on extra weight in the hope that things will take a turn for the better.

Likewise, due to the fact that the Suffolk breed possesses the ability to mature early and flesh easily, if the market is buoyant farmers can opt to sell lambs even if they are slightly on the light side. It really is a win-win situation.

Returning specifically to the first question on selecting a Suffolk ram this autumn, in sheep production, like most things in life, quality counts every time.

Once again this writer will use the current factory price list to make an extremely valid point. A Farm Quality Assured lamb killing out at 22kgs at £2.70 will gross £59.40, as well as engaging a FQA premium of £2.

Compare that to a poor quality lamb of the same weight at possibly £2.20/kg - a price differential amounting to at least £10 - and it's no hard to see why a top quality Suffolk sire is key to profitable lamb production.

This writer again asks the question again. Can you really afford not to buy a top quality Suffolk ram this autumn?

Next week commercial sheep producers will have two opportunities to purchase a top quality Suffolk ram or ram lamb. On Tuesday night the Suffolk Sheep Society Northern Ireland Branch will hold its first ever show and sale in Swatragh (September 25) before a second event will be held in Omagh Auction Mart on the Thursday night (September 27). Judging at both events will take place at 6pm with the sale getting underway at 7pm.