Demand for hoggets and spring lambs remains firm, with prices continuing on an upward trend.
This is not evident in some sales, with average prices unchanged, but this is more driven by mixed-quality hoggets on offer, with better-quality types €1 to €3/head firmer.
The differential between poorer-quality and top-quality lots has widened to as high as €15/head, with some tail-end lots or ewe hoggets short of flesh cover appearing.
For example, hoggets weighing 55kg to 57kg are trading anywhere from €215 for poorer-quality lots to €228 to €235 for the best-quality lots.
Likewise, lighter lots weighing around the 50kg to 52kg mark are selling from €200 to €210 for lesser-quality types with top-quality lots hitting €215 to €220.
The differential in price is even more evident as you drop down in weight. Hoggets weighing 46kg to 48kg are trading anywhere from the low-€160s to €185 to €190 and higher for ewe hoggets.
Mart managers report keen demand for ewe hoggets with breeding potential, with heavier lots selling anywhere from €230 to €250 and higher.
The trade for lambs is unchanged, with a similar differential based on quality.
Lambs weighing 44kg to 46kg range from €210 to €224, with select lots of excellent-quality lots attracting butcher buyer attention rising to €230 and upwards.
Lots weighing 40kg to 42kg range from €195 to €216 on average, with potential slaughter performance dictating price.
Cull ewes are steady, with fleshed lowland ewes from €2.30/kg to €2.65/kg and rising in select cases to €2.90/kg-plus for excellent-quality lots.
Ewes with a poor cover of flesh are selling back to €2/kg, with heavier hill ewes from €1.90/kg to €2.25/kg and back to €1.50/kg for light ewes.
Prices for ewes with lambs at foot remain hugely variable. The general run of twin lamb lots is from €280 to €360 for good-quality outfits, but as high as €430 to €480 has been paid for ewes and aged lambs.
Single-lamb lots range from €180 to €230 on average, but upwards of €300 has been paid for younger ewes and a good lamb at foot.
Demand for hoggets and spring lambs remains firm, with prices continuing on an upward trend.
This is not evident in some sales, with average prices unchanged, but this is more driven by mixed-quality hoggets on offer, with better-quality types €1 to €3/head firmer.
The differential between poorer-quality and top-quality lots has widened to as high as €15/head, with some tail-end lots or ewe hoggets short of flesh cover appearing.
For example, hoggets weighing 55kg to 57kg are trading anywhere from €215 for poorer-quality lots to €228 to €235 for the best-quality lots.
Likewise, lighter lots weighing around the 50kg to 52kg mark are selling from €200 to €210 for lesser-quality types with top-quality lots hitting €215 to €220.
The differential in price is even more evident as you drop down in weight. Hoggets weighing 46kg to 48kg are trading anywhere from the low-€160s to €185 to €190 and higher for ewe hoggets.
Mart managers report keen demand for ewe hoggets with breeding potential, with heavier lots selling anywhere from €230 to €250 and higher.
The trade for lambs is unchanged, with a similar differential based on quality.
Lambs weighing 44kg to 46kg range from €210 to €224, with select lots of excellent-quality lots attracting butcher buyer attention rising to €230 and upwards.
Lots weighing 40kg to 42kg range from €195 to €216 on average, with potential slaughter performance dictating price.
Cull ewes are steady, with fleshed lowland ewes from €2.30/kg to €2.65/kg and rising in select cases to €2.90/kg-plus for excellent-quality lots.
Ewes with a poor cover of flesh are selling back to €2/kg, with heavier hill ewes from €1.90/kg to €2.25/kg and back to €1.50/kg for light ewes.
Prices for ewes with lambs at foot remain hugely variable. The general run of twin lamb lots is from €280 to €360 for good-quality outfits, but as high as €430 to €480 has been paid for ewes and aged lambs.
Single-lamb lots range from €180 to €230 on average, but upwards of €300 has been paid for younger ewes and a good lamb at foot.
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