More variability has crept in to the trade for finished lambs. Marts with a vibrant wholesale buyer trade are seeing prices for heavier lambs weighing upwards of 48kg to 50kg secure a premium on price, which is rising anywhere from €5 to €10 per head above the general trade.
Prices for quality, fleshed lambs weighing from 50kg to 53kg are ranging in such marts from €180 to €188 per head, with select lots topping this price.
In contrast, the general run of prices for similar weight lambs in marts reliant on factory agent demand and occasional interest from butcher buyers ranges on average from €170 to €177 per head, with top prices hitting €180.
Demand for ewe lambs is also variable, with some heavy lambs only recording a narrow premium on price, while the best-quality lots are hitting €200 to €220-plus.
Demand for store lambs is steady, with crossbred and plainer-quality lowland types selling from €3.20/kg to €3.40/kg on average, while select lots of well-bred continental-type lambs that are well presented are rising in cases to €3.50/kg to €3.60/kg.
Prices for lighter hill lambs are in the region of €3/kg to €3.20/kg, with a keen demand for ewe lambs securing a significant premium on price.
The trade for cull ewes is more subdued than in recent weeks.
Well-fleshed ewes capable of delivering high-quality carcases are selling from €2.25/kg to €2.50/kg, some 20c/kg to 30c/kg easier than a fortnight ago.
Lesser-quality but fleshed lots are selling from €2/kg to €2.15/kg, with some feeding types falling below €2/kg.
Heavier hill ewes are selling from €1.50/kg to €1.80/kg, with light ewes selling back to €1.30/kg for ewes with a good cover of flesh and back to €1/kg for average-quality types.
Demand for ewe hoggets is also variable. Select lots of excellent quality are topping €300/head, but the general run is from €270 to €320.
Lighter but nice-quality lots range from €240 to €270/head, with some light and plainer-quality types selling back to €200 to €220. This includes some light crossbred types.
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