Factory agents in the marts are maintaining focus on fleshed hoggets. This is not surprising given that the main percentage of sheep for sale is still made up of hoggets.

Lots weighing 47kg to 50kg are selling for €112 to €117/head.

In general, heavier hoggets with good flesh cover over the 50kg mark are not making any more than €117/head.

Just like last week, mixed hoggets in the same weight range but lacking flesh are selling for €5 to €8/head below this range.

Mart managers reported very large sales last week, as farmers aimed for peak Easter buying. More spring lambs are also coming out now, but prices are disappointing.

Most lambs weighing 40kg to 50kg are selling for €110/head to €117/head. One mart manager said farmers with a price of €115/head for 40kg lambs in their head were left disappointed, as factory agents were very much constricted on price.

Where butcher and wholesalers were active prices of up to €120/head and higher were secured for suitable fleshed lambs (see more on page 48).

Ewes and lambs

Ewes with lambs at foot are meeting a strong trade, driven by farmers.

Young ewes with two lambs are selling for €200 to €260/head.

Higher prices are being paid for young ewes or ewes with aged lambs.

Ewes with a single lamb at foot are selling from €140 to €180/head.

Cull ewes

Lowland feeding ewes are selling from €60 to €90/head. Fleshed ewes suitable for slaughter are selling from €95 to €125/head.

Prices in excess of €140/head have been paid for large-framed fleshed ewes this week.