The mart trade is getting livelier each week as market sentiment improves. Stronger demand in the factories is equating to better returns in the marts, as factory agents rally to secure tightening numbers.
It’s not just fleshed lambs that have seen price improvements, it also applies to stores and cull ewes, which is a nice boost for producers.
Fleshed lambs weighing 47kg to 50kg are selling from €100 to €106/head, or €53 to €56 over the weight. This equates to €2 to €3/head improvement on last week’s returns. There hasn’t been a major change in prices for lambs weighing over 50kg since last week, with prices ranging from €107 up to €112/head in general and some lots making up to €115/head.
The store lamb trade continues to strengthen as more buyers see store lambs as a good investment.
Lowland-bred stores weighing 30kg to 35kg are selling from €72 to €82/head or €42 to €47 over the weight. Heavier store lambs weighing 36kg to 39kg are selling from €83 to €87/head. Forward store lambs weighing 40kg to 44kg are selling from €88 to €98/head.
A combination of good grass supplies available for winter grazing and fodder crops, as well as improved factory demand, is driving on the store market.
Cull ewes
The cull ewe trade is holding steady after recent increases. Medium-sized fleshed ewes are selling from €100 to €110/head. Large-framed heavy fleshed ewes are moving from €110/head to €120/head. Feeding ewes are selling from €60 to €90/head. Breeding ewe sales have more or less finished up now.
SHARING OPTIONS