Lamb trade ebbs and flows

Sheep trends by Peter Young

The lamb trade continues to ebb and flow but overall remains relatively steady. The quotes this week are slightly up with Kepak Hacketstown and Kildare offering the highest base quote of 350c/kg. Some farmers and selling groups are heading towards the 360c/kg but it appears more difficult to get the 364c/kg that was paid to some farmers last week.

Larry Fallon, IFA Sheep Committee chairman said that 364c/kg was paid in the west which means that there was 22.4c/kg difference between paid prices. He urged farmers to shop around rather than take what's been offered. Demand from France remained slow and Bord Bia report prices were back to 350c/kg incl. VAT.

The UK price slipped as extra numbers came out. There were 24,000 lambs on offer last Tuesday and the SQQ price was close to the 100pstg/kg for the first time this year at 101pstg liveweight. This is equivalent to 330c/kg incl. VAT.

The hope must be that the Muslim festival Ramadan, held in mid-October, will give a boost to demand.

Light lambs

Light lambs continue to be moved through the system. Most plants are quoting between 322 to 330c/kg but none are going out of their way to secure large numbers.

Cast ewes on the other hand are in increased demand. The beef scene might be playing out as anticipated this autumn but the cast ewe trade is definitely not. The appetite, even for the bigger numbers on offer has ensured that prices for good ewe continue to rise. Up to 156c/kg was paid this week for good quality lots and if anything the price seems to be lifting. Maybe it's the attraction of boning out to add value that's helping the trade.

Breeding sales

There is still strong demand in the breeding sales and in some cases prices were improved this week. In Athenry the tops for hoggets was €120 as a large number of quality lots sold at over €100. Older ewes varied in price from €80 for 1st and 2nd, while crop ewes were back to €45 for 4th and 5th.

Cull ewes were in good demand and ranged from €63 back to €25. In Blessington breeding ewes jumped €8 a head. Suffolk hoggets and 2yr olds made €80 to €128, while 3 and 4yr olds fetched €50 to €88. Breeding rams fetched €200 to €700 in Blessington. Ewe lambs made €60 to €86 in Roscommon. In Miltown scotch hoggets made from €70 and crossbred hoggets made €80 a head.