Strong grass supplies have inserted more life into the store lamb trade. Mart managers report demand boosted by some beef farmers favouring the purchase of store lambs over extra cattle.

Prices for lowland lambs range from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg and in some cases even higher.

Ewe lambs are also attracting a price premium, with many reports suggesting tighter hogget supplies in this year’s breeding sales.

The vibrant store lamb trade is in direct comparison with the factory lamb trade which is under pressure again this week. After a short reprieve and prices steadying at the start of the week, many processors are not quoting or reducing quotes by 30c/kg.

This brings the total fall in lamb price in the last two weeks to between €15/lamb and €20/lamb, which has significantly dented farmer confidence. Meanwhile, the strong grass supplies have also boosted the mart cattle trade. Prices for store cattle weighing 450kg plus and weanlings have increased anywhere from €30/head to €50/head. The lift in price is attracting higher numbers, with higher mart sales entries in the last week.

Darren Carty