This paper considers the importance of fat ewes to sheep producers, the outlets available and the factors which affect price. Ways in which producers can improve their returns from fat ewes, by matching production to the market, are also discussed.

Considerable attention has recently been given to developing the market for finished lambs. The total output, including that from fat ewes, must be considered for the full potential of the sheep enterprise to be realized.

It is estimated that 1.47 M ewes (and rams) will be slaughtered in the UK in 1983, producing 40 000 t of mutton, as shown in Table 5.10.1. This represents a significant output from the sheep enterprise, amounting to between 10 and 25% of sheep producers’ income — depending on type of enterprise.