Lamb prices in the marts have sharpened further this week, with prices for fleshed lambs up €3 to €5/head.
Lambs weighing 46kg to 49kg are selling from €115 to €124/head, with a lot of lambs in that weight range making over €120/head.
Lambs over 50kg are selling from €125/head, with a big proportion making €128 up to €135/head.
Factory agents are keen for all types of fleshed lambs, but butchers are putting it up to them, helping to drive prices upwards.
The store trade remains vibrant for lambs, with buyers’ confidence strong.
Lambs weighing 40kg to 44kg are selling from €105 to €115/head, but prices exceeding this range are not uncommon.
Most of the lambs in that weight range are moving from €110/head.
Lowland-bred store lambs weighing 35kg to 39kg are selling for €92 to €102/head.
Lighter lambs weighing 30kg to 34kg are making €86 to €92/head, but some nice-type lambs are exceeding this range. Crossbred and Scotch-bred store lambs are selling from €2.40/kg to €2.80/kg.
Ewes and lambs
There are more ewes with lambs at foot making an appearance at sales now.
At Raphoe Mart’s sheep sale on Monday, ewes with one lamb at foot sold from €140 to €180/unit.
Ewes with two lambs sold from €200 to €260/unit. In-lamb ewes sold from €140 to €180/head.
Cull ewes
Top prices for heavy fleshed cull ewes are ranging from €120 to €135/head.
The trade for cull ewes is reportedly lively and is helping to tempt farmers to sell.
Average-sized ewes are selling from €100 to €115/head.
Healthy lowland-bred ewes in need of feeding are selling from €75 upwards.
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