Easter lambs in Saxony: concerns about prices and wolf kills

The time before Easter is the peak of the lambing season for Saxony's shepherds. The Easter lambs are currently being fed special grain with protein components, as master shepherd Sieghard Walter from Landwirtschaft GmbH & Co.KG Machern near Bennewitz (Leipzig district) said. This year there have been more lamb births than in previous years.

Prices fall - costs rise

The only thing that worries producers is prices. According to the Saxon Sheep and Goat Breeders' Association, a kilogram of lamb (live) fetches around 4.20 euros. "Last year it was already at five euros. A fall in the price combined with increased costs for producers in all areas is tough," said association spokeswoman Regina Walther. Lambs reach slaughter maturity at around 42 to 45 kilograms. According to her, one kilogram of leg of lamb costs the end consumer around 40 euros.

Grazing animals are important landscape conservationists

In the previous year, the number of sheep in Bavaria had risen significantly for the first time. According to the association, there were a total of 132,400 animals, including lambs. In the previous 20 years, the population had fallen by around 30,000. Sheep grazing helps to maintain and preserve valuable nature conservation areas and biotopes with rare animal and plant species. According to Walther, sheep are indispensable as landscape conservationists and in nature conservation

Wolf kills remain a problem

However, according to the association, dealing with wolf kills remains problematic. Accordingly, 210 cases of damage were reported last year. 527 animals were affected, 416 were killed. The German government wants to include wolves in hunting legislation so that so-called problem wolves can be killed more easily - for example, if they have scaled fences and killed sheep. The relevant committees in the Bundestag are currently discussing the bill before it is put to the vote there and in the Bundesrat.