Easter trade
Darren Carty on 21 Jul 2021
Previewing 2022 market demand and reviewing breeding timelines
The increase in demand for this week’s festival of Eid al-Adha and lift in price has got many farmers asking if their breeding programme is sufficient to capitalise on stronger market performance
Darren Carty on 07 Apr 2021
Sheep Trends: buoyant lamb prices top €8/kg mark
The sheep trade is truly brimming when prices increase in the week after Easter.
Darren Carty on 05 Apr 2021
Sheep price update: factories still on the hunt for sheep post-Easter
Early reports suggest retail sales performed positively for Easter, leaving factories anxious to source supplies for the start of the Ramadan festival.
Darren Carty on 29 Mar 2021
Spring lambs exceed €200 per head in Kilkenny and Raphoe
The trade for spring lambs was particularly hot on Monday, with several marts recording top prices ranging between €175 and €185, while a couple of marts topped the €200 mark.
Darren Carty on 24 Mar 2021
Sheep trends: trade solid despite factory pressure
Factories tried to insert some downward pressure on the trade at the end of last week and reports indicate they are trying to do similar again but remaining cautious not to miss out on any sales.
Niall Hurson on 23 Mar 2021
Up to €7.80/kg on offer for spring lambs – IFA
The IFA has stated that current prices for spring lamb are not reflective of the costs associated with production.
Darren Carty on 19 Mar 2021
In pictures: lots of customers for quality hoggets in Tuam
Factory agents and wholesale or butcher buyers were anxious to get their hands on higher numbers of hoggets for the Easter trade, with more farmer buyers also showing an interest in ewe hoggets.
Darren Carty on 17 Mar 2021
SheepWatch: hogget prices record another €2 to €5 increase
Upward movement has been driven by strong appetite, as factory, butcher and wholesale buyers all look to boost supplies on hand to service demand for the Easter trade.
Darren Carty on 17 Mar 2021
Spring lamb quotes up by 30c/kg to 50c/kg
Factories have upped the ante on spring lamb quotes in a bid to encourage numbers forward and source supplies for the Easter trade.
Darren Carty on 10 Mar 2021
Hogget prices up as factories quote for spring lamb
A number of mart managers comment that sheep sales would be tiny were it not for ewe hoggets while agents also report ewe hoggets underpinning sheep throughput at current levels.
Darren Carty on 22 Jul 2020
Selecting the optimum lambing date for your farm
Reports suggest that there are some farmers considering pulling the lambing date forward in anticipation of stronger prices in the first half of 2021.
Darren Carty on 15 Apr 2020
Sheep Prices: price increase exceeds expectations
Quotes for hoggets and spring lambs have avoided any post-Easter hangover with quotes increasing by 10c/kg on last week’s level.
Darren Carty on 08 Apr 2020
Sheep prices: Easter demand rallies trade
The price of hoggets has increased by 30c/kg in the last week, with finishers with large numbers in a great negotiating position and securing returns of €5.70/kg to €6.00/kg.
Photo Desk on 08 Apr 2020
In Pictures: Easter lambs have arrived
Spring has sprung and readers from around the country are celebrating the Easter weekend with new arrivals on their farms.
Darren Carty on 06 Apr 2020
Beef and sheep prices: beef drops 10c/kg, sheep trade firms
It’s another negative start to the week for beef prices, while, in contrast, factories are looking to source hoggets and spring lambs for the Easter trade.
Darren Carty on 01 Apr 2020
Sheep prices: trade experiences slight recovery
The trade has at least stabilised after last week’s collapse, with quotes this week increasing by 10c/kg to 20c/kg on the back of tighter supplies and improved market demand.
Darren Carty on 11 Mar 2020
Sheep prices: higher supplies amid trade uncertainty
Factories are keen to convey a message to farmers about the importance of selecting lambs at the correct weight and fat score.
Caitríona Morrissey on 22 Apr 2019
Alignment of Easter and Ramadan bodes well for sheep farmers
The religious festivals are expected to drive demand for lambs for the next five years.
Darren Carty on 19 Apr 2019
Spring lambs sell to €140 in Mountbellew Mart
Saturday’s sale had a much larger entry of cull ewes and hoggets, while there was an excellent trade for a strong entry of ewes with lambs at foot.
Darren Carty on 17 Apr 2019
Sheep kill jumps 13,503 head for Easter trade
An increase in sheep prices and greater purchasing power underpinned last week’s sheep kill rising to 56,811 head.