Following last week’s price reduction of €8 to €10 per head, spring lamb prices have in cases eased by an average of €3 to €5. Some mart managers are reporting bigger numbers of sheep coming out now as this year’s crop of spring lambs are coming fit for sale and the last of the hoggets are being off-loaded. Top prices paid for spring lambs weighing 44kg to 46kg were €126 to €128 or €75 to €85 over while many lambs weighing 43kg to 47kg were selling in the last couple of days from €113 to €120 per head.

Hoggets are still selling well despite higher numbers of spring lambs coming to the market. Very heavy fleshed hoggets weighing 60+kg sold for €125 to €131. Lighter lots weighing 45kg to 50kg sold for €102 to €108. The general prices for factory hoggets is €55 to €65 over.

Cull ewes have also experienced price reductions, with some mart managers reporting prices are back €10/head. There has been reports of a continued strong trade for cull ewes in border counties, with top prices of €130 to €150 paid for well-fleshed ewes for the export market. Well-fleshed ewes are making €100 to €125 per head. Some managers suggest that the export trade is driving these prices due to the strength of the sterling versus the euro. Hill ewes with a cover of flesh are also selling well at €70 to €80 a head.

Ewes with lambs at foot continue to be a good trade, with lowland ewes and two lambs at foot making from €220 all the way to €270 per lot. Ewes with a single lamb at foot are making €160 to €170. Hill ewes with one lamb at foot are making €100 to €140 per lot depending on quality and lamb age. While hill ewes with two lambs at foot are fetching €130 to €200.