While the mood remains low, there is some optimism in the spring lamb trade this week, with some mart managers reporting that prices increased slightly by €1 to €2 per head. Sellers are securing €70 to €90 over for spring lambs. Top prices paid for lambs this week weighing 45kg to 46kg were €130 to €136 or €85 to €90 over, with butcher interest pushing the higher prices paid.

The general run of prices for factory-fit spring lamb was €72 to €76 over, with lambs weighing 42kg to 44kg making €114 to €120. Lighter lambs averaging 40kg are finding it hard to make €70 with the weight.

Hoggets numbers are starting to decline, but demand is still relatively steady, with hoggets making €60 to €80 over. Average hoggets weighing 50kg to 54kg sold for €121 to €124 or €71 to €73 with the weight in the last few days, with ewe hoggets in cases driving farmer demand. Heavier hoggets weighing 58kg+ made €134 or €76 with the weight. Lighter hoggets weighing 47kg made €107 or €60 with the weight.

Cull ewes have steadied after price reductions last week. Last week saw price reductions in the marts of €10 per head.

Well-fleshed, very large-framed ewes are securing higher prices above €130 per head, while the general run of prices for average-fleshed ewes is €110 to €120 per head. Lighter-type ewes in need of feeding are making €75 to €85.

Ewes with lambs at foot are still a solid trade. Lowland ewes with single lambs at foot were making €135 to €200 per lot.

Good-quality lowland ewes with couples at foot are making from €170 all the way up to €320 per lot for young ewes with lambs aged six to eight weeks.

Peter Varley