Prices ended on a strong footing last December, as marts closed up before Christmas for lambs. Thankfully, the trend is continuing into the new year, with mart managers reporting strong prices in early January sales.

Numbers have been reasonably small in sales and this seems to be helping to boost demand.

With factories increasing quotes week on week, agents are keen for numbers to fill orders and meet supply requirements.

Lambs in the 45kg to 49kg weight range are selling from €106 to €115/head, or €61 to €66 over the weight.

These prices are well up on prices paid last month, up €4 to €5/head on average, but of course flesh cover has a big bearing here.

Top prices paid for lambs weighing in excess of 50kg are reaching €120/head in the main, but in some sales where numbers are tight, these prices are exceeded by another €2 to €3/head. Most are moving at €116 to €118/head.

Stores are also in demand and the mild weather has to be a contributing factor. Forward store lambs weighing 42kg to 44kg are selling for €98 to €108/head on average.

Just like finished lambs, prices were up €4 to €5/head for these lots. Some forward store lambs very close to finish are making €110/head where demand is particularly strong.

Demand for lighter stores is pretty strong too. Lambs weighing 35kg to 37kg are making €80 to €90/head in the main, with some quality lots making up to €92/head.

Lambs weighing 30kg to 34kg are selling for €70 to €80/head. One mart manager commented that the number of lambs arriving at those lighter weights is starting to dry up.

In-lamb ewes

Some mart sales are seeing the arrival of in-lamb ewes. In Tullow recently, a dispersal sale of 40 excellent Suffolk-cross ewes sold from €175 up to a tops of €195 scanned carrying 1.9 lambs to a Texel due in February. A number of other in-lamb ewes sold from €145 up to a tops of €182/head.

In other sales, in-lamb ewes sold from €80 to €140/head, with the age of the ewes a big factor determining price.

Cull ewes

Top prices for ewes hit €130/head this week. The majority of fleshed ewes sold from €105 to €118/head. Ewes lacking flesh sold back at €75 to €85/head. Very light-framed ewes are making €40 to €50/head.

Read more

Sheep trends: upward movement on lamb quotes