The trade for ewe lambs and ewe hoggets at Monday evening’s show and sale of Milford sheep in Milford Mart, Co Donegal, was described as one of the best held, as just two lots went home unsold and a clearance rate of 99%.
The average price for ewe lambs was over €196/head, which was made more impressive by the average weight of lambs being 36.64kg.
The standout prices of €330 paid for prizewinning lots will grab the attention, but it was the consistency of trading that impressed mart manager John Stewart, with a high percentage of lambs selling from €170 to €235.
A few lots sold above this, while a small number sold back to €140 to €150 for light lots weighing 29kg to 32kg.
There was also a sharp trade for the entry of 158 hogget ewes, with prices averaging at €290/head for hoggets weighing an average of 65kg.
Pairs
Prizewinning pairs and pens sold from €410 to €630, while a single excellent-quality hogget set the headlines selling for €1,120 – one of the highest prices ever paid for a female Milford sheep.
Top-quality lots sold from €310 to €370 while the general run of prices for the main entry of hoggets ranged from €200 to €270.
The average price for ram lambs was €480, with two rams topping the €1,000 mark, selling for €1,160 and €1,520, while seven mature rams averaged at €517/head.
SHARING OPTIONS