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Last week’s price rises were built on again this week in the marts, with prices rising by €1 to €2/head on average. Lambs weighing 46kg to 48kg are selling for €96 to €105/head, with flesh cover dictating higher prices paid.
Short-keep lambs weighing 42kg to 44kg are particularly in demand as specialised feeders compete for numbers.
Good-quality short-keep lambs are selling for €88/head to €95/head and buyers are aiming to have these lambs factory-fit ahead of the Christmas trade when prices often rise.
Prices for lambs weighing 50+kg and suitable for the butcher trade are holding steady at €105 to €110/head.
Lighter lowland-bred store lambs weighing 30kg to 35kg are selling from €68 to €80/head, with plenty of demand for this weight range among farmers.
Scotch-bred ewe lambs weighing 22kg to 28kg are selling from €46 to €54/head. Heavier Scotch-bred lambs weighing 30kg to 34kg are selling for €67 to €72/head. Sales of Scotch-bred breeding hoggets are getting smaller now as the season pushes on, with prices ranging from €80 to €110/head.
The renewed buzz in the lamb trade extended to cull ewes, where prices also saw an improvement. Where previously moderately fleshed ewes were selling for €75 to €80/head, mart managers report prices for these types exceeding €80/head.
Prices for large-framed and well-fleshed ewes are now ranging from €95 to €110/head. Scotch-bred cull ewes are making 80c/kg on average, with prices ranging from €24 to €40/head depending on size and flesh cover.
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