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Marts, especially ones located in the stronger tillage areas, are reporting an improved store lamb trade.
Some managers report that farmer buyers were very active for lighter store lambs.
Good-quality lowland types weighing 32kg to 35kg were selling from €74 to €78/head. These prices were up €2 to €3 per head on the previous week.
Lambs weighing 37kg to 43kg are selling for €80 to €87/head. The improved trade is likely being sparked by more buyers looking for lambs to graze established catch crops.
Many farmers have also received a 70% advance BPS payment. This payment may encourage more farmers to enter sales and purchase store and ewe lambs for winter grazing.
Specialist breeding hogget producers are still active in the marts sourcing ewe lambs.
Only select lots suitable for future breeding are making price premiums of €15 to €20/head. These good-quality ewe lambs weighing 42kg to 44kg are selling for €100 to €110/head.
Heavier good-quality ewe lambs weighing up to 50kg are selling for €110 to €120/head.
Fleshed lambs
Fleshed lambs remain steady in the main. However, some report a slippage in prices for heavier lots.
Lambs weighing 46kg to 50kg are selling from €92 to €102/head. Lambs over 50kg with a good flesh cover are selling from €100 to €110/head. Breeding hoggets are selling from €140 to €200/head.
Cull ewe prices have slackened this week, with prices reportedly back €5 to €10/head. Heavy fleshed ewes are selling for €90 to €100/head and lowland-bred feeding ewes are making €60 to €70/head.
Scotch-bred and crossbred ewes are selling from €35 to €60/head.
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