Live trade

Sheep prices: factories dig in on quotes

Demand remains high, with factories continuing to fill orders for the Easter trade, but reluctant to increase prices further.

MARKETS 30 March 2026

Sheep prices: factories dig in on quotes

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Bluetongue: shackles to come off north-south live trade on Friday

Bluetongue: shackles to come off north-south live trade on Friday

NEWS 5 March 2026

Martbids Database: live trade holding despite slippage in factory prices

Martbids Database: live trade holding despite slippage in factory prices

MARKETS 4 March 2026

Sheep price update: no joy as base quotes unchanged

Sheep price update: no joy as base quotes unchanged

Sheep price update: no joy as base quotes unchanged

MARKETS 16 February 2026

Sheep price update: slightly more life in live trade

Sheep price update: slightly more life in live trade

Sheep price update: slightly more life in live trade

MARKETS 9 February 2026

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Concern for pedigree breeders over live export ban to UK

Concern for pedigree breeders over live export ban to UK

The suspension of live exports from Ireland to Northern Ireland and Britain following the outbreak of bluetongue in Ireland raises massive concerns for pedigree breeders and breed societies.

PEDIGREE 30 November 2025

Beef Management: hygiene at calving, first calved heifers and Bluetongue

Beef Management: hygiene at calving, first calved heifers and Bluetongue

Martin Merrick runs through some of the hygiene practices farmers should uptake at calving, minding first calved heifers and what Bluetongue has done to the live trade this week.

MANAGEMENT 30 November 2025

Martbids Database: bluetongue cases fail to affect live trade

Martbids Database: bluetongue cases fail to affect live trade

Martin Merrick gives the latest Martbids analysis following on from the first case of bluetongue having been discovered in the Republic of Ireland.

MARKETS 30 November 2025

Martbids Database: low numbers but positive mood in cattle trade

Martbids Database: low numbers but positive mood in cattle trade

Although numbers have been low, mart managers are reporting a relatively positive live trade overall.

MARKETS 30 November 2025

Farmer Writes: the great beef reset of 2025

Farmer Writes: the great beef reset of 2025

Beef farmers will look back favourably on 2025 writes Tommy Moyles as weather and markets combined to deliver an excellent year for the sector.

FARMER WRITES 30 November 2025

Lifeline for NI sheep as export suspension to Britain lifted

Lifeline for NI sheep as export suspension to Britain lifted

Factory lamb quotes have fallen by 30p/kg to 40p/kg since restrictions on sheep movements due to the bluetongue virus were imposed while live prices reduced by upwards of £10 to £15 per head.

NORTHERN IRELAND 30 November 2025

Bluetongue virus – the trade implications for live exports in Northern Ireland

Bluetongue virus – the trade implications for live exports in Northern Ireland

The sheep sector is particularly exposed to interruptions to its live trade with more sheep exported live than processed in factories in Northern Ireland.

NORTHERN IRELAND 30 November 2025

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Syngenta’s Casper® continues to raise the bar for grassland weed control

Following a strong introduction to the Irish market last season, Casper® from Syngenta is quickly establishing itself as a trusted solution for tackling the persistent broad-leaved weeds.

Syngenta’s Casper® continues to raise the bar for grassland weed control

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