While prices increased last week by €3 to €5/head, this uplift was removed with prices on par with two weeks ago over the last number of days.

Spring lambs are now trading at prices similar to those of two weeks ago, though a falloff in hogget supplies is still pushing buyers to source numbers.

Mart managers have reported that prices in the main have eased back by €3 to €4/head, while marts that had been witnessing prices above the norm due to wholesaler activity have eased by €5 to €8/head.

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Butcher and wholesaler-spec lambs weighing 50kg-plus with ample flesh are selling from €215/head up to €225/head.

Factory agents are still active for lambs weighing from 47kg to 48kg and are trading between €205 and €215/head for quality, well-fleshed lambs.

Mart managers are still reporting that despite a conscious effort by agents to pull prices backwards, they are still keen to secure numbers and high clearance rates are being recorded.

Numbers of quality, well-fleshed lambs are rising slightly, but are still relatively low, with hogget numbers all but dried up in mart rings.

Store lambs

Spring store lambs remain tight in numbers, with high prices being recorded for those being presented.

Lambs weighing 40kg to 43kg are trading from €180/head to a high of €196/head, with buyers reportedly contacting marts seeking numbers as grass growth continues to drive demand for these, while the same grass supplies are leading to sellers being more reluctant to let stock go.

The hogget trade has all but ceased, with spring lamb numbers growing.

Feeders of hoggets have reported some difficulty in getting sheep killed, with factory demand very variable as more spring lamb comes on to the market.

Cull ewes remain unchanged this week, with better-quality types capable of a high kill-out still hitting €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg in certain marts. Lesser-type ewes are selling between €2/kg and €2.30/kg in the main, with only very poorly fleshed lowland and hill ewes selling below €2/kg.