There has been little change in the sheep mart trade in the last week. Factory agents are more active for hoggets but prices remain on a similar level, dictated by factory returns.

Prices for hoggets weighing 44kg to 48kg range, in general, from €50 to €56 over, with a small number of excellent quality lots rising to €60 over. The trade for good quality hoggets weighing 50kg+ ranges from €54 to €60 over, with butcher competition pushing prices for well-fleshed, tight-wooled hoggets with good conformation to €62 to €64 over.

Short-keep and store hoggetss remain a relatively good trade despite the poor weather. Short-keep hoggets weighing 40kg to 45kg range from €42 to €50 over depending on condition. Lighter lowland hoggets weighing 34kg to 40kg are selling from €2.10 to €2.25/kg with crossbreds back to €1.90/kg for lots short on flesh.

The trade for in-lamb ewes is very variable due to quality of ewes on offer. Broken mouth or ewes lacking flesh and carrying 1 to 1.5 lambs are selling from €80 to €110 per head. Good quality ewes carrying 1.8 to 2 lambs are selling from €130 to €165 per with age and ewe size a factor on price.

Fleshed heavy carcase cull ewes are selling from €80 to €100 with light carcase slaughter fit ewes selling from €70 to €80 per head.