Breeding ewe sales have been busy throughout August, with mart managers reporting bigger sales.

In the specialised breeding sales, some mart managers have said that full clearances have been achieved and average hogget prices increased by €10 to €20 per head compared with 2014 levels.

Hogget prices are ranging from €170 to €220 per head in these specialised sales. Ewe lambs are making €110 to €130/head and some exceptional lots crossed the €130/head mark.

Similarly, two-and-a-half-year-old breeding ewes in these specialised sales made top prices of €175 to €185/head.

However, general breeding sales have been more varied with prices paid for some average lots back significantly from the higher end of the market.

Top-quality, large-framed hoggets in the general sales are making €190 to €210/head, but plainer smaller lots are selling back to €150/head. A small percentage of hoggets in the general sales are going unsold because prices are failing to meet farmers’ expectations.

These farmers plan to take their chances in subsequent sales in the hope of better prices.

Two-and-a-half-year-old ewes in the general sales are making €150 to €165 on average, with top-quality lots making up to €180/head. Older third and fourth crop ewes are making €135 to €145/head.

In the general sales, large-framed, good-quality ewe lambs are making €110 to €125/head. Reports suggest that there is more demand for larger-framed lambs in the 47kg to 50kg bracket that would be suitable for breeding this year. Lighter ewe lambs are making €90 to €105/head.