The UK sheep flock reduced by 2% to 30.48m as of 1 June 2025. The figures contained in the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) June livestock survey shows declines across the female breeding flock and the category of ‘other sheep and lambs’.
The number of lambs aged under one year of age on farms on 1 June 2025 totalled 14.78m. This was the lowest level since the dataset started in 1984. Becky Smith, AHDB’s senior analyst livestock said the 3% fall in lamb numbers equates to 437,500 lambs and is before the level forecast by the AHDB.
“Whilst contraction in the breeding flock is the major driver of this, it is likely other factors also played a part. Challenges with ewe condition and poor weather conditions at tupping may have reduced conception and lambing rates. Additionally, increased prevalence of bluetongue [virus] is suspected to have impacted on lamb numbers, affecting fertility in both ewes and lambs. The smaller lamb crop has tightened supply and lent support to prices in recent months”.
The female breeding flock witnessed an overall decline of nearly 1% ear-on-year to sit at 14.78m head. There was a 2% fall in the number of ewes intended for further breeding and slaughter while the number of ewes intended for first-time breeding increased sharply and contrasts to the decline in ewe numbers witnessed across Europe.
Becky says “This may be a reflection of the high prices for adult sheep seen in 2025, with people potentially opting to cull older animals and keep more ewe lambs for replacements”.
Regional variation
The steepest declines were recorded in Northern Ireland where sheep numbers fell by 8% while numbers in England were 4% lower. This contrasts to significant growth in breeding flocks in both Scotland and Wales.
AHDB are forecasting that the smaller breeding flocks points to a continued contraction in the UK lamb crop in 2026. It adds that disease and weather will be key factors influencing numbers and signalled that a clearer picture will be presented in AHDB’s lamb outlook which will be released in February 2026 and concentrate on production, trade and consumption forecasts for 2026.
The UK sheep flock was 1% lower on 1 June 2025 with the greatest reductions in Northern Ireland and England. (source AHDB).
The UK sheep flock reduced by 2% to 30.48m as of 1 June 2025. The figures contained in the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) June livestock survey shows declines across the female breeding flock and the category of ‘other sheep and lambs’.
The number of lambs aged under one year of age on farms on 1 June 2025 totalled 14.78m. This was the lowest level since the dataset started in 1984. Becky Smith, AHDB’s senior analyst livestock said the 3% fall in lamb numbers equates to 437,500 lambs and is before the level forecast by the AHDB.
“Whilst contraction in the breeding flock is the major driver of this, it is likely other factors also played a part. Challenges with ewe condition and poor weather conditions at tupping may have reduced conception and lambing rates. Additionally, increased prevalence of bluetongue [virus] is suspected to have impacted on lamb numbers, affecting fertility in both ewes and lambs. The smaller lamb crop has tightened supply and lent support to prices in recent months”.
The female breeding flock witnessed an overall decline of nearly 1% ear-on-year to sit at 14.78m head. There was a 2% fall in the number of ewes intended for further breeding and slaughter while the number of ewes intended for first-time breeding increased sharply and contrasts to the decline in ewe numbers witnessed across Europe.
Becky says “This may be a reflection of the high prices for adult sheep seen in 2025, with people potentially opting to cull older animals and keep more ewe lambs for replacements”.
Regional variation
The steepest declines were recorded in Northern Ireland where sheep numbers fell by 8% while numbers in England were 4% lower. This contrasts to significant growth in breeding flocks in both Scotland and Wales.
AHDB are forecasting that the smaller breeding flocks points to a continued contraction in the UK lamb crop in 2026. It adds that disease and weather will be key factors influencing numbers and signalled that a clearer picture will be presented in AHDB’s lamb outlook which will be released in February 2026 and concentrate on production, trade and consumption forecasts for 2026.
The UK sheep flock was 1% lower on 1 June 2025 with the greatest reductions in Northern Ireland and England. (source AHDB).
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