The sheep trade continues on an upward trend, with prices rising by an average of 10c/kg on previous weeks’ levels. While many individual sellers secured €5.55/kg to €5.60/kg in recent days and those handling higher numbers and specialised finishers secured €5.65/kg to €5.70/kg, it looks as if the trade is going to move on again in the coming days.

Demand continues to drive prices, with strong demand in the west of the country reflected in Kepak Athleague rising its base quote for today (Thursday) to €5.65/kg, a jump of 25c/kg on last week’s levels. This has moved it well ahead of other quotes, but farmers should note that other plants in the west and the remainder of the country are paying well above quoted prices, when pushed, to secure deals. Reports indicate farmers have been offered €5.75/kg to €5.80/kg to supply lambs in the coming days.

Specialised finishers and those handling high numbers have the strongest negotiating power, as have farmers supplying in-spec hoggets. The level of finish is particularly in the spotlight given continued challenging weather conditions.

Processors remind farmers to house hoggets coming off wet underfoot conditions for a period to improve slaughter condition. Some finishers have also moved to house forward stores to improve performance. Recent weather has been particularly hard on sheep and animals have in many cases lost condition.

Agents also report better demand for lambs killing within the weight bracket of 20kg to 23kg, with some plants more open to negotiating on price compared with heavy carcase hoggets. IFA national sheep committee chair John Lynskey said: “Conditions on farms are extremely difficult from the prolonged bad weather and factories are finding it difficult to get stock with some offers of €5.80/kg made.”

Falling NI kill

Rising prices are enticing supplies forward, with the weekly kill holding steady at 43,414, on a par to the previous week and close to 6,000 head above the same period in 2015. This is in comparison to the northern kill, which continues to fall.

Last week’s throughput fell slightly over 600 head to 5,803 sheep. The kill has fallen about 2,000 head in the last three weeks. Plants are quoting £4.00/kg to £4.10/kg (equivalent €5.43/kg to €5.56/kg) with sellers meeting opposition in securing higher prices. Agents purchasing for southern plants have maintained their increase in purchasing activity, boosted again by euro to sterling exchange rate strengthening to 78p, with 10,000 sheep moving south last week.

Ewe trade static

The ewe trade is holding static despite the rise in hogget prices. Quotes are €2.90/kg to €3.00/kg with top prices of €3.20/kg.