Hogget finishers will be glad to hear that prices are holding firm for fleshed lots.

Mart managers said factory-fit hogget prices rose a further €2 to €3/head on last week’s gains. Factory agents were out in force again to secure numbers.

More hoggets weighing 47kg to 48kg are breaching the €130/head mark, with top prices of €140 to €145/head paid. Plainer lots lacking flesh in that weight range are moving at €115 to €125/head. Managers are hopeful strong prices will continue on the back of tighter supplies.

Lighter hoggets weighing 40kg to 43kg are selling from €105 to €112/head.

Good-quality stores weighing 35kg to 38kg are moving at €90 to €100/head but again plainer lots are €5 to €10/head lower.

The cull ewe trade continues the overall buoyant price trend. Large-framed fleshed ewes are making top prices of €145/head. Medium-sized ewes with good flesh cover are selling for €115 to €140/head.

Lighter ewes in need of further feeding are selling for €80 to €110/head. Poorer quality and light framed ewes are moving at €40 to €70/head.

Kenmare Mart manager Dan McCarthy said their sale last Monday was the dearest he ever witnessed.

“It was incredible. Crossbred hoggets that would usually only sell for €1.70/kg to €1.85/kg were freely making over €2/kg,” he explained. He believes the stronger prices will help to attract store buyers back to the marts next back end and will help make up for difficult weather that they had to endure this season.

Cross-bred sheep weighing 30kg to 40kg were making €70 to €95/head, with heavier lots weighing 43kg to 50kg making over €120/head.