Sheep breeding sales will begin next week against a backdrop of confidence levels not been seen for many years. Lamb prices are running €1/kg above the same time last year and the trade is holding solid.

Cull ewe prices are at record levels with heavy, fleshed ewes weighing upwards of 90kg trading from €150 to €175 in the main and as high as €190 to €200 for select lots. This is inserting a strong floor under the trade with small numbers of hoggets traded so far ranging in price from €170 all the way to €250 to €260 per head.