The trade for ewe lambs and ewe hoggets continues to defy expectations with prices running as high as €40 to €50 above 2019 levels. This has resulted in record prices being achieved in a number of producer-group breeding sales held in the last week.

The Mayo Mule and Greyface Group recorded a buoyant trade on Friday when an entry of over 800 hoggets averaged €210 and a 100% clearance rate. This was a €45 per head increase on 2019 levels. The sale was followed on Saturday by a lightening trade for ewe lambs with almost 2,000 lambs averaging €155, up €28 on 2019 levels and breaking the €200 mark on a number of occasions.

There were also record prices at the Tullow Sheep Breeders’ Association second sale of Suffolk Cheviot cross ewe lambs and hoggets on Wednesday.

Top-quality hoggets are selling on average from €180 to €210 per head

A high percentage of ewe lambs were traded at the time of going to print and while the weight of lambs was back 4kg to 5kg on the group’s premier sale, there were a high percentage selling for over €130.

First and second prizewinning ewe lambs weighing 52kg sold for €262 and €247, respectively.

While the trade is not hitting these heights in normal weekly breeding sales, it is €15 to €20 ahead of 2019 levels. Top-quality hoggets are selling on average from €180 to €210 per head, reflecting confidence in the sector.

Ewe lambs weighing over 40kg are averaging €10 to €15 more for nice-quality lambs and up to €20 to €25 for top-quality lots with prices ranging from €110 to €140 and hitting €160 to €170 for select lots.

The trade is helped by higher farm-gate prices for finished lambs. Factory prices are 40c/kg to 50c/kg above the corresponding period in 2019 or €8 to €10 on a 20kg carcase.