The sheep trade is holding robust, with an insatiable factory appetite for lambs keeping a strong floor under prices paid.

Prices are running 45ckg to 55c/kg above 2019 levels, with the trade continuing to defy expectations for the time of year.

The trade for large batches is particularly brisk, with factories keen to tie into supply channels.

This has seen factories competing strongly since the end of last week and in cases willing to extend outside of their normal catchment area to secure sales.

Top prices rising

Reports show top prices paid rising 5c/kg to 10c/kg in cases, with prices ranging anywhere from €5.35/kg to as high as €5.50/kg where transport allowances are factored into the price.

There are also more farmers having success in securing increased paid carcase weight limits of 22kg, but this is typically to a top price of €5.35/kg, with factories reluctant to pay higher and succumb to increasing weight limits.

The mart trade is also strengthening on the back of a stronger factory trade

Farmers selling individually and with lower numbers on hand are securing returns of €5.15/kg to €5.25/kg.

The mart trade is also strengthening on the back of a stronger factory trade.

Auctioneer George Candler reported that supplies of finished lambs were tighter in Kilkenny on Monday.

Heavier lambs weighing in excess of 50kg traded from €115 for average-quality lots to €120 to €124 on average for top-quality lots, while an exceptional pen of 54kg lambs topped the sale at €128.

Lighter lambs

Lighter lambs weighing 45kg to 45kg are reported as selling from €103 to €107, while store lambs remain a vibrant trade, with prices ranging from €89 to €92 for good-quality lowland lambs weighing 36kg to 38kg.

The trade for breeding sheep is holding solid, with hoggets selling from €170 to €217 and ewes aged 2.5 to 4.5 years old selling from €120 to €170.