Sheep farmers at Enniskillen Mart are facing decisions driven by age and succession.

John McGovern, a farmer from Florencecourt, said the age profile of those involved in farming has shifted. He noted there are more older people now than in past years, when younger people were more common and there was more banter.

McGovern was at the sale with his grandson Patrick, who said he plans to go into sheep farming. Patrick said he enjoys attending the mart with his grandfather.

McGovern said trade has been reasonably good. Prices have improved over the last year, particularly in the past two months, and recent rain has encouraged buyers to purchase store lambs to make use of grass.

Gerard Nicholl, a 61-year-old farmer from Newtownbutler, is reducing his flock because he is awaiting two knee replacements. He described his operation as a one-man band and said kind neighbours and good friends are his only source of help. He has no children to take over the farm.

Nicholl said there are more young people interested in cattle than sheep. He noted that sheep prices fell back around August after a strong run earlier in the year, but demand remains strong for some categories. Store lambs are very dear, he said.

Eddie Rogers, a 75-year-old farmer from Churchill, was selling the tail ends of his flock, including three rams and a few lambs. He said his son, who farms with him, does not want to continue with sheep, and at his age he does not want to continue lambing.

Rogers said his son would love to farm but the returns are not enough compared to what he can earn as an engineer. He described their current situation as ideal because he is on a pension and his son has a good wage, so they do not need to make money from farming.

Rogers described store lamb prices as crazy and said he considered buying some himself but decided against it. He said sheep are important for marginal land because they keep it grazed and prevent overgrowth. He said you either like sheep or you hate them, with no in-between.

Nicholl said he may have to sell his entire flock if his knees prevent him from continuing. The flock is in the stock, he said, and he might part with it if the price is right.