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Demand for slaughter-fit hoggets is strengthening, resulting in higher prices at marts and factories in the runup to Easter.
Earlier this week, prices for good-quality hoggets weighing 23kg to 26kg half-weight in the marts, typically ranged from £102/head to £108/head, up by £3-£8/head on last week.
That has left local factories with little option but to raise base quotes to 450p/kg, up 30p/kg on last week.
However, farmers report that deals of 460p/kg to 470p/kg are on offer at local plants, such is the shortage of hoggets. Prices in the Republic of Ireland have also increased, with reports of €5.65/kg being paid for NI lambs, which equates to 460p/kg at current exchange rates.
Spring lamb
Meanwhile, the first factory quotes for spring lambs have opened at 500p/kg, although it is very early days for that trade.
Store cattle
Mart managers also report a surge in demand for lighter store cattle over the past week, with more buyers looking for grazing cattle on the back of relatively good ground conditions and plentiful grass supply.
Prices are up by 10p/kg to 20p/kg on previous weeks for continental types.
Store cattle weighing 350kg to 400kg are an exceptionally strong trade, with 250p/kg to 275p/kg regularly paid for good-quality Charolais and Limousin types.
Plainer types are selling upwards from 220p/kg.
Cattle weighing over 400kg are also a sharper trade, with prices of 210p/kg to 250p/kg on offer.
SHARING OPTIONS: