While many marts report business as usual, some managers are reporting signs of more life in the trade for finished lambs. This follows a few weeks of agents exhibiting less demand for lambs or less inclined to compete to the same intensity.
The general run of prices for good-quality lambs weighing from 50kg to 54kg remains from €164 to €170 in many sales, with prices starting at €160 for some plainer-quality types and rising to €175 where interest is present from butcher/wholesale buyers.
Small numbers of heavier lambs in the latter circumstances are rising to upwards of €180 per head.
Prices for lighter lots are also dictated by quality, with lambs weighing 46kg to 48kg selling anywhere from the low €150s to upwards of €165 for top-quality lots with good slaughter potential.
Good-quality heavier ewe lambs suitable for breeding this season are rising to and in cases exceeding the €200/hd mark.
The store lamb trade is steady, with a high percentage of lambs weighing from 35kg to 44kg trading from €3.50/kg to €3.80/kg.
Select lots, including ewe lambs with breeding potential, are rising to €4/kg. This also goes for lighter hill ewe lambs, with batches of quality ewe lambs rising to €4.50/kg and higher.
Hogget numbers are easing gradually with more variable quality leading to a wider differential in prices paid. A high percentage of hoggets are selling from €230 to €300/hd, but top-quality lots are still capable of rising to a top of €350 to €380/hd.
There is also good demand for second and third crop ewes, with prices ranging anywhere from €200 to €300 for well-bred ewes with a good frame and length.
The cull ewe trade is holding relatively firm despite factory pressure on price. Keen demand for feeding ewes is helping to keep a floor under the trade, with good-quality feeding ewes selling from €1.70/kg to €2.10/kg while fleshed lowland ewes are selling in the main from €1.90/kg to €2.30/kg.
This reduces to €1.20/kg to €1.60/kg for hill ewes and back to €1/kg for light ewes lacking significant flesh cover.
While many marts report business as usual, some managers are reporting signs of more life in the trade for finished lambs. This follows a few weeks of agents exhibiting less demand for lambs or less inclined to compete to the same intensity.
The general run of prices for good-quality lambs weighing from 50kg to 54kg remains from €164 to €170 in many sales, with prices starting at €160 for some plainer-quality types and rising to €175 where interest is present from butcher/wholesale buyers.
Small numbers of heavier lambs in the latter circumstances are rising to upwards of €180 per head.
Prices for lighter lots are also dictated by quality, with lambs weighing 46kg to 48kg selling anywhere from the low €150s to upwards of €165 for top-quality lots with good slaughter potential.
Good-quality heavier ewe lambs suitable for breeding this season are rising to and in cases exceeding the €200/hd mark.
The store lamb trade is steady, with a high percentage of lambs weighing from 35kg to 44kg trading from €3.50/kg to €3.80/kg.
Select lots, including ewe lambs with breeding potential, are rising to €4/kg. This also goes for lighter hill ewe lambs, with batches of quality ewe lambs rising to €4.50/kg and higher.
Hogget numbers are easing gradually with more variable quality leading to a wider differential in prices paid. A high percentage of hoggets are selling from €230 to €300/hd, but top-quality lots are still capable of rising to a top of €350 to €380/hd.
There is also good demand for second and third crop ewes, with prices ranging anywhere from €200 to €300 for well-bred ewes with a good frame and length.
The cull ewe trade is holding relatively firm despite factory pressure on price. Keen demand for feeding ewes is helping to keep a floor under the trade, with good-quality feeding ewes selling from €1.70/kg to €2.10/kg while fleshed lowland ewes are selling in the main from €1.90/kg to €2.30/kg.
This reduces to €1.20/kg to €1.60/kg for hill ewes and back to €1/kg for light ewes lacking significant flesh cover.
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