Donegal Mule Group’s 10th annual sale of ewe hoggets and ewe lambs met a flying trade, with demand outstripping supply and leading to the group’s most vibrant sale since it was formed.
Over 450 ewe hoggets averaged approximately €320 per head, up €100 on 2024 levels, while approximately 750 ewe lambs averaged in the region of €190 per head, equating to an increase of €50 per head on 12 months earlier.
Intense competition was underpinned by a combination of keen buyer demand and entries running in excess of 20% lower.
Mart manager Brian Crawford reported that many prospective buyers went home disappointed, with more buyers in attendance and travelling from right across Ireland.
This resulted in the majority of sheep leaving the county.
About 15% of the best-quality hoggets on offer sold from €370 to €420, with the €400 mark exceeded on a handful of occasions.
Another handful of lots sold from €345 to €365 per head, while the general run of prices for 60% of lots ranged from €280 to €340, with the balance of 10 plainer-quality lots selling from €170 to €270 for light-framed types.
Brian added that hoggets on offer showed the benefit of a largely positive year grazing wise, with ewe lambs also slightly stronger than previous year’s.
Ewe lambs
The best-quality ewe lambs suitable for breeding this year or capable of maturing into top-quality hoggets were highly sought after and sold from €200 to €268 per head, with about 25 of the 80 lots on offer selling within this range.
Lighter lots sold from €170 to €200, with only a small quantity below this range.
Another 30 lots of nice-quality lots sold from €170 to €198/head, while the balance of light but good-quality ewe lambs sold from €130 to €158/head.
Group member Kieran McGrath commented that the higher prices created a positive atmosphere at the sale, with more young farmers in attendance, both from a group and buyer perspective.
He said a continuation of such prices are vital to capture this interest.
Cheviot sale
The Donegal Cheviot and Cheviot Cross Breeders Group is holding its annual sale in the mart on Friday 5 September at 6pm. There will be upwards of 900 Cheviot and Suffolk Cheviot-cross ewe hoggets and lambs on offer.
This batch of 10 nice-quality ewe lambs sold for €232 each.
This batch of five Mule ewe hoggets sold for €320 each.
These large-framed top-quality Mule ewe hoggets sold for €420 each.
These top-quality Mule ewe hoggets sold for €420 each.
This pen of smaller-framed and black-headed Mule ewe hoggets sold for €305 each.
This pen of medium-sized Mule ewe hoggets with a lighter frame sold for €275 each.
These whiter-faced good-quality Mule ewe lambs sold for €210 each.
This batch of good-quality ewe lambs sold for €200 each.
This pen of top-quality sharp-headed ewe lambs sold for €268 each.
These strong Mule ewe lambs sold for €255 each.
These well-bred Mule ewe lambs sold for €255 each.
These top-quality Mule ewe lambs sold for €258 each.
Donegal Mule Group’s 10th annual sale of ewe hoggets and ewe lambs met a flying trade, with demand outstripping supply and leading to the group’s most vibrant sale since it was formed.
Over 450 ewe hoggets averaged approximately €320 per head, up €100 on 2024 levels, while approximately 750 ewe lambs averaged in the region of €190 per head, equating to an increase of €50 per head on 12 months earlier.
Intense competition was underpinned by a combination of keen buyer demand and entries running in excess of 20% lower.
Mart manager Brian Crawford reported that many prospective buyers went home disappointed, with more buyers in attendance and travelling from right across Ireland.
This resulted in the majority of sheep leaving the county.
About 15% of the best-quality hoggets on offer sold from €370 to €420, with the €400 mark exceeded on a handful of occasions.
Another handful of lots sold from €345 to €365 per head, while the general run of prices for 60% of lots ranged from €280 to €340, with the balance of 10 plainer-quality lots selling from €170 to €270 for light-framed types.
Brian added that hoggets on offer showed the benefit of a largely positive year grazing wise, with ewe lambs also slightly stronger than previous year’s.
Ewe lambs
The best-quality ewe lambs suitable for breeding this year or capable of maturing into top-quality hoggets were highly sought after and sold from €200 to €268 per head, with about 25 of the 80 lots on offer selling within this range.
Lighter lots sold from €170 to €200, with only a small quantity below this range.
Another 30 lots of nice-quality lots sold from €170 to €198/head, while the balance of light but good-quality ewe lambs sold from €130 to €158/head.
Group member Kieran McGrath commented that the higher prices created a positive atmosphere at the sale, with more young farmers in attendance, both from a group and buyer perspective.
He said a continuation of such prices are vital to capture this interest.
Cheviot sale
The Donegal Cheviot and Cheviot Cross Breeders Group is holding its annual sale in the mart on Friday 5 September at 6pm. There will be upwards of 900 Cheviot and Suffolk Cheviot-cross ewe hoggets and lambs on offer.
This batch of 10 nice-quality ewe lambs sold for €232 each.
This batch of five Mule ewe hoggets sold for €320 each.
These large-framed top-quality Mule ewe hoggets sold for €420 each.
These top-quality Mule ewe hoggets sold for €420 each.
This pen of smaller-framed and black-headed Mule ewe hoggets sold for €305 each.
This pen of medium-sized Mule ewe hoggets with a lighter frame sold for €275 each.
These whiter-faced good-quality Mule ewe lambs sold for €210 each.
This batch of good-quality ewe lambs sold for €200 each.
This pen of top-quality sharp-headed ewe lambs sold for €268 each.
These strong Mule ewe lambs sold for €255 each.
These well-bred Mule ewe lambs sold for €255 each.
These top-quality Mule ewe lambs sold for €258 each.
SHARING OPTIONS