Last week’s sheep throughput continues on the same downward trend as previous weeks. At 44,083 head, there were 2,478 fewer sheep processed, split between 1,726 fewer hoggets (38,633) and 752 fewer ewes. Plants are trying to keep a lid on prices and are slow to significantly increase quotes.

The two Irish Country Meats (ICM) plants and Ballyhaunis have increased their base quote by 5c/kg to €4.90/kg, similar to Ballon’s all-in quote of €4.90/kg. Kepak and Kildare Chilling remain on a base quote of €4.95/kg, with Moyvalley the first to quote €5.00/kg with their all-in quote.

There is continued pressure between plants to source sheep and, as such, plants are willing to compete with greater intensity to secure larger lots of hoggets. Groups are achieving prices of €5.15/kg to €5.20/kg when bonus payments are taken into account, with sellers handling larger numbers also moving into this price range as the week progresses.

Sellers with fewer numbers and less negotiating power are trading in general from a starting point of €5.00/kg for non-quality assured lamb to €5.10/kg. Carcase weight limits are 23kg, with very little scope in any plant to increase above this level.

The number of sheep imported south last week increased by a couple hundred head to 8,474. Southern agents continue to dictate the trade in NI marts, with Northern plants paying 10p/kg to 15p/kg above the £4.00/kg base quote to secure sales. The sterling to euro value strengthened yesterday to 86.7p, which puts NI hoggets at £4.10/kg at the equivalent of €4.98/kg including VAT at 5.4%. British prices are also on the rise, increasing by an average of 3p/kg to 5p/kg, and are similar to slightly ahead of Northern prices.

ICM stands out on the ewe front with its 20c/kg higher quote putting it on the same footing as Ballyhaunis, which is quoting €2.80/kg. Factory agents are keen to use ewes to compensate for lower hogget throughput, with sellers handling large numbers securing €2.90/kg to €3.00/kg. It is advisable where trading heavy fleshed ewes to check paid weight limits as many plants have a cut-off of 40kg carcase weight. The mart trade is a good alternative for sellers with small numbers struggling to secure higher quotes.

Sheep welfare scheme

While the final count is not complete, it looks like there will be over 80% of the 2.5m national ewe flock included in the Sheep Welfare Scheme. IFA national sheep committee chair John Lynskey said: “The €10 per ewe welfare based scheme secured by IFA has been received very well by sheep farmers and has provided a major boost. Counting is in the final stages with around2m ewes entered across 22,500 applicants”.

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Sheep mart trade holds firm