Hogget numbers are showing more signs of diminishing in marts as the year progresses. Spring lambs are slowly taking their place, with prices holding well for both types.

Mart managers are reporting a strong trade for lambs, with a recovery in prices after some blips in the trade last week. Ramadan, which starts on 15 May and ends on 14 June, will no doubt be helping maintain returns and farmers will be hoping there is scope for further price increases.

In the meantime, spring lambs weighing 43kg to 45kg are making €130 to €146/head, or €87 to €101 over the weight. Heavier lambs are very much in the minority. Lambs weighing 46kg to 49kg are selling for €145 to €150/head and some aged lambs with weight behind them are moving at prices over €150/head.

Lighter lots weighing 35kg to 40kg are moving at €120 to €130/head, or €85 to €90 over.

Although hogget numbers are declining, the trade is not abating. Heavy butcher-type hoggets weighing 48kg to 52kg are making €120 to €145/head, or €72 to €93 over. Very heavy fleshed lots are breaching €155/head in places. Lighter hoggets weighing 40kg to 46kg are moving at €95 to €118/head, with flesh cover key.

Cull ewes also remain a strong trade. Heavy fleshed ewes are selling for €120 to €135/head, with very large-framed ewes making up to €140/head. Lighter feeding ewes are selling for €70 to €95/head, with short-keep ewes moving from €100 to €115/head.

Ewes with lambs at foot are more attractive to buyers, with grass coming on stream now. Ewes with two lambs are selling from €175 to €280/unit and ewes with a single lamb at €130 to €180/unit and higher for young ewes with strong lambs.

Peter Varley