The trade at last Friday’s Donegal Cheviot and Cheviot Cross Breeders sale followed the trend witnessed in breeding sales held to date in 2026, with specialist breeding group sales better withstanding pressure on prices.
The overall average price of 354 ewe hoggets traded was €327/head, while 588 ewe lambs averaged over €214/head.
There was actually varying fortunes in the Donegal sale with Suffolk-cross-Cheviot sheep easier on 2025 levels, while prices paid for Cheviot sheep increased.
Suffolk-cross-Cheviot sheep accounted for over half the entry of 1,025 head.
The entry of 214 hoggets achieved a clearance rate of 88%, with prices averaging €299/head, equating to a reduction of €38/head.
This was still an excellent average, with top prices hitting €445 and ranging from €300 to €400 for large-framed top-quality lots.
The trade for Suffolk-cross-Cheviot ewe lambs was also marginally stickier than last year’s record high.
The average price of €194 (ranging from €155 to €275) was €29/head easier than in 2025, with a clearance rate of about 90%.
The second-highest entry was Wicklow Cheviot-type sheep with 118 on offer.
Numbers continue to tighten across the country, which is adding more competition.
The average price recorded for the entry of 118 head was €299/head, up €45/head year on year.
Cheviot ewes
The Cheviot ewe lamb trade was equally impressive. Just 10 lambs from an entry of 117 head went home unsold.
The average price was €227/head, up from €208 in 2025. There has been significant growth in the number of farmers with North County Cheviots and this was recognised with a separate entry.
An entry of 24 hoggets averaged €413/head, ranging from €355 to €550, while the 80 North County Cheviot ewe lambs sold for a fine average of €238/head.
Significant numbers
Blackface-cross-Cheviots have performed positively in recent years, growing from a relative minority to significant numbers. The 42 hoggets on offer all found new homes, with prices averaging at €222 in a range within €180 and €275.
This breed of ewe lamb also sold in a 100% clearance at an average price of €183, up €18/head on the previous year.
The final entry was Cheviot-cross-Mule ewe lambs. There were no such hoggets on offer, but the entry of 53 ewe lambs all sold in a vibrant trade, with prices averaging at €300/head (€166 to €336).
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