There was no reduction in lamb prices in marts, despite a reduction in sheep factories’ lamb quotes towards the end of last week. Prices remain steady and even stronger in sales.
Numbers have been increasing steadily, but some mart managers commented that the fine weather held back lambs where attention was focused on conserving hay and silage.
The general run of prices reflects a steady trade, with factory lambs weighing 43kg to 46kg selling for €115 to €125/head, or €72 to €79 over the weight.
Some sales in the east saw stronger prices exceeding €130/head for similar-weight factory lambs, with wholesalers and butchers competing hard with factory agents. The majority of fleshed lambs are moving at €120 to €123/head.
Short-keep lambs continue to be in demand. Lambs weighing 40kg to 42kg are selling from €100 to €110/head, with flesh cover and quality driving the variation in prices paid. Lambs lacking flesh in the same weight range could make €5 to €10/head less.
Lighter store lambs weighing 36kg to 39kg are making €88 to €100/head. Store lambs weighing 30kg to 35kg are making €70 to €85/head. One mart manager in the east commented that the store trade met some resistance, which he was putting down to lack of grass due to drought conditions.
Cull ewes
No change in the cull ewe trade, with some reduction in numbers since last week’s highs. Fleshed ewes are selling from €100 to €120/head with very large-framed ewes with good flesh cover making up to €135/head. Lighter lowland-bred ewes lacking flesh are selling from €70 upwards.
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Sheep trends: supply and demand finely balanced
There was no reduction in lamb prices in marts, despite a reduction in sheep factories’ lamb quotes towards the end of last week. Prices remain steady and even stronger in sales.
Numbers have been increasing steadily, but some mart managers commented that the fine weather held back lambs where attention was focused on conserving hay and silage.
The general run of prices reflects a steady trade, with factory lambs weighing 43kg to 46kg selling for €115 to €125/head, or €72 to €79 over the weight.
Some sales in the east saw stronger prices exceeding €130/head for similar-weight factory lambs, with wholesalers and butchers competing hard with factory agents. The majority of fleshed lambs are moving at €120 to €123/head.
Short-keep lambs continue to be in demand. Lambs weighing 40kg to 42kg are selling from €100 to €110/head, with flesh cover and quality driving the variation in prices paid. Lambs lacking flesh in the same weight range could make €5 to €10/head less.
Lighter store lambs weighing 36kg to 39kg are making €88 to €100/head. Store lambs weighing 30kg to 35kg are making €70 to €85/head. One mart manager in the east commented that the store trade met some resistance, which he was putting down to lack of grass due to drought conditions.
Cull ewes
No change in the cull ewe trade, with some reduction in numbers since last week’s highs. Fleshed ewes are selling from €100 to €120/head with very large-framed ewes with good flesh cover making up to €135/head. Lighter lowland-bred ewes lacking flesh are selling from €70 upwards.
Read more
Sheep trends: supply and demand finely balanced
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