The hogget trade in the marts has received a new lease of life in the last fortnight. Prices are rising €3 to €5/head on average.

There is a definite sense of renewed optimism after a dismal period price-wise.

Factory agents are making great efforts to source numbers of finished hoggets, but the trade for stores has also benefited substantially.

The shackles seem to be finally off and agents are less restricted with their bids than was the case in the recent past.

Finished hoggets weighing 46kg to 49kg are selling for €102 to €110/head, or €56 to €61 over the weight.

This is a price rise of €2 to €4/head on last week’s levels and mart managers are reporting a greater proportion of hoggets breaching the €105/head price.

Butcher hoggets weighing 50kg-plus are selling for €111 to €118/head, with prices being pushed on by factory agents. Store prices have also received a boost, with hoggets weighing 35kg to 40kg selling from €78 to €97/head.

In-lamb ewes are selling from €130 to €200/head for ewes scanned carrying two lambs.

Ewes with single lambs at foot are selling from €140 to €190/head. Ewes with twin lambs at foot are selling from €210 to €265 per unit.

Cull ewes

Demand for cull ewes continues to strengthen. Top-quality heavy fleshed ewes are selling from €120 to €135/head.

Medium-fleshed ewes are selling from €95 to €115/head. Feeding ewes are moving at €70 to €80/head.