Liveweight lamb prices have crashed following the reopening of English and Welsh livestock markets last week.
The markets were closed as a precaution when foot and mouth was confirmed on a Surrey farm last month, but they have been reopened as Defra has eased restrictions on animal movement.
Farmers responded by pushing a glut of lambs on to the market, which undermined the liveweight price. Lamb prices were below 96p/kg this week, down from 111p before the outbreak.
"Beef has held up well, but liveweight lamb prices have fallen because of the high volumes," said NFU livestock adviser Alastair Johnston.
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