Sheep kill

Cattle kill drops over 10% in first half of 2026

A continued trend of lower cattle and sheep kills has been seen so far in 2026, while the pig kill is up.

NEWS 27 July 2026

Cattle kill drops over 10% in first half of 2026

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Editorial: uncertain future for sheep farming

Editorial: uncertain future for sheep farming

VIEWPOINTS 15 July 2026

Sheep Trends: lamb price steady at €9/kg

Sheep Trends: lamb price steady at €9/kg

MARKETS 15 July 2026

Sheep Trends: lambs steadier at €8.80/kg base

Sheep Trends: lambs steadier at €8.80/kg base

Sheep Trends: lambs steadier at €8.80/kg base

MARKETS 8 July 2026

Sheep Trends: factories move to take control

Sheep Trends: factories move to take control

Sheep Trends: factories move to take control

MARKETS 27 May 2026

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Sheep trends: peak buying for Eid al-Adha

Sheep trends: peak buying for Eid al-Adha

Base quotes are unchanged but regular sellers and specialist finishers handling large numbers are negotiating above base quotes for large consignments of sheep.

MARKETS 22 April 2026

Sheep Trends: kill remains at just 31,770 head

Sheep Trends: kill remains at just 31,770 head

The low level of throughput reflects the tightness in supply, with lamb numbers slower to build and hogget entries declining faster than in 2025.

MARKETS 22 April 2026

Sheep Trends: hogget quotes cut by 10c/kg more

Sheep Trends: hogget quotes cut by 10c/kg more

Opening prices for quality assured hoggets are down 10c/kg to €9.40/kg to €9.50/kg, while spring lambs are quoted around the €10/kg-plus mark.

MARKETS 22 April 2026

Sheep kill falls to just 31,636 head

Sheep kill falls to just 31,636 head

The kill is running 5,226 head lower than the previous week and over 9,200 head lower than the corresponding week in 2025.

MARKETS 22 April 2026

Sheep Trends: hogget quotes pulled by 10c/kg

Sheep Trends: hogget quotes pulled by 10c/kg

Factories have also tightened carcase weight limits and are trying to limit payment rates to 23kg carcase weight.

MARKETS 22 April 2026

Breeding ewe increase defies all expectations

Breeding ewe increase defies all expectations

The number of breeding ewes on farms in Ireland on 31 December 2025 increased by 26,888 head – when all predictions pointed to numbers falling by 100,000 to 200,000 head

MARKETS 22 April 2026

Breeding ewe numbers up 26,800 head

Breeding ewe numbers up 26,800 head

The results of the Department of Agriculture’s annual sheep and goat census has defied expectations with the number of other sheep standing at over 72,000 head higher on 31 December 2025.

NEWS 22 April 2026

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