The start of 2020 has been a positive one for the sheep trade, with improved factory agent and butcher demand at ringsides around the country.

Heavy butchers’ lambs over 50kg are a steady trade on last week.

Prices in the main are ranging mainly from €120/head to €125/head, with prices of over €127/head being achieved in some areas.

The trade for good-quality ewe lambs is also inserting competition into the factory trade, with plenty of farmers looking for ewe lambs with breeding potential.

Overall, lambs from 45kg to 50kg are selling mainly from €110/head to €114/head, with prices of up to €116/head being recorded at some sales.

However, where lambs are under-fleshed, prices of €105 to €107/head are common.

Lambs from 42kg to 44kg have been a good trade and prices are ranging mainly from €94 to €96/head, with some making over €97/head in some areas.

The store trade has seen the price strengthen again in recent days, with farmer buyers very active for all good-quality types.

Those from 30kg to 33kg are selling mainly from €78 to €85/head, with some making over €86/head.

This marks an increase of €4 to €6/head on the trade at the end of the year.

Those from 33kg to 35kg are selling mainly from €75 to €82/head, with some sales recording prices of up to €85/head.

Cull ewes

Cull ewes have seen prices strengthen also, with farmers snapping up all good-quality feeding ewes.

Entries have been helped by barren ewes which have been recently scanned starting to appear.

The little more factory bite is having the effect of giving more courage to farmers.

Culls are selling mainly from €90 to €100 for good-quality warm stores, with plainer types making €75 to €82/head.

Fat ewes are selling for up to €135/head at some sales.

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Sheep Trends: quotes not reflecting movement