This is a subscriber-only article
There is more life in the sheep trade, with prices moving in the right direction, up €2 to €3/head in many sales for both spring lambs and hoggets.
The price increases seem to be sparked by reduced supplies of hoggets and lambs, with far smaller sales since the Easter build-up.
Talking to mart managers, there seems to be a variation in supplies of hoggets, with greater numbers available in the east. However, overall numbers are beginning to dwindle and spring lamb supplies are slow to fill the gap.
Fleshed spring lambs weighing 40kg to 44kg suitable for slaughter are moving at €110 to €125/head, €70 to €81 over the weight. Lighter lambs weighing 37kg to 40kg are making €90 to €110/head.
In some sales where butchers and wholesalers were keen, select lots of heavy lambs weighing 45kg to 52kg are selling for €122 to €148/head.
Fleshed hoggets weighing 48kg to 52kg are selling for €114 to €118/head. Where hoggets are lacking flesh or quality is variable, price reductions of €5 to €10/head compared with similar weight lots can be expected.
Numbers of ewes with lambs at foot continue to meet a strong trade, as good grass supplies prompt buyers to sales.
Ewes with a single lamb at foot are selling for €130 to €190/unit. Ewes with two lambs are making €175 to €260/unit. Fleshed cull ewes are moving at €110 to €135/head, with lowland-bred feeding ewes moving at €70 to €90/head.
SHARING OPTIONS: