It’s a steady trade for both lambs and hoggets in the marts this week, with more optimism among sellers compared with previous weeks. For the bulk of factories around the country, quotes remain at €5.80/kg and sellers are finding it easier to book lambs in for slaughter. This optimism is feeding back to mart sales.

Factory-fit lambs weighing 43kg to 45kg are making from €114 to €117 in the marts, while lighter lambs weighing 40kg to 45kg are selling from €105 to €110, depending on quality and flesh cover. Mart managers are reporting that lambs with higher covers of flesh are receiving a price premium.

For top-quality, well-fleshed lambs, butchers are most active. These quality lambs weighing from 46kg to 48kg are making €120 to €127, or €74 to €79 over. Select lots are making €80+ over the weight.

Supply of hoggets has tightened in the marts, with entries down to tailend hoggets. This is shown in the price table above, with spring lambs making up a greater percentage of mart sales and rising average prices.

Ewe hoggets are receiving a price premium of €5 to €8 compared with wethers. Large-framed hoggets with flesh cover weighing 58kg to 63kg are making €120 to €125, or €62 over. Lighter lots weighing 46kg to 53kg made €107 to €112.

Cull ewes are holding price this week after the reductions of two weeks ago. The general run of prices for ewes is €100 to €120 for average-fleshed ewes. Very large-framed and well-fed ewes are making up to €130 per head.

Ewes lacking flesh are selling from €65 to €80, while very poor-quality ewes are selling back to €50 per head.

For more on lamb prices, see Darren Carty’s report from Monday’s sale in Athenry Mart on page 46.

Peter Varley