An improvement in trade for lambs, especially stores, was reported in sheep marts across the country this week, with increased factory prices supporting trade.
A good trade for mountain lambs was evident at the sheep sale in Kenmare Mart, Co. Kerry, on Monday, November 28, according to Mart Manager Dan McCarthy.
“There was close to 1,300 sheep on offer at the sale, with nice forward stores making good money.
“In total there was only about 10 or 15 sheep that weren’t sold and most of them were rams,” he said.
- 25kg – €45 or €1.80/kg
- 28.5kg – €65 or €2.28/kg
- 32kg – €68 or €2.12/kg
- 38kg – €76.50 or €2.01/kg
- 42kg – €84 or €2/kg
The recent cold, but dry, spell of weather and rising factory prices in the past few weeks has helped to support the lamb trade, McCarthy said.
A couple of hundred cast ewes went under the hammer at the sale, with ewes making around the €1/kg mark, with this price falling for Scotch ewes.
Prices varied from €32-72/head for cast ewes, with broken mouthed Scotch ewes weighing 49kg making €38/head.
Numbers holding firm at Kilkenny Mart
Close to 750 sheep went through the sales ring at Kilkenny Mart on Monday, November 28, with a lively trade for all lambs reported.
“Numbers held firm this week, as trade improved for lambs with prices up close to €5/head, especially for store lambs,” a Mart Spokesperson said.
Prices for lambs ranged between €2.05-2.36/kg as there was a good variety of store, factory and butcher lambs on offer.
- 38kg – €85 or €2.24/kg
- 41kg – €94 or €2.29/kg
- 47kg – €100 or €2.13/kg
- 49/kg – €108 or €2.20/kg
- 57kg – €117 or €2.05/kg
- 55kg – €115 or €2.09/kg
There was a total of ten pens of cast ewes for sale in Kilkenny Mart with prices ranging from €55-110/head.
Meanwhile, there was a small number of two and three-year-old breeding ewes that were in-lamb which made between €170-180/head.
Improved trade reported at Headford Mart
Close to 400 sheep were on sale at Headford Mart in Co. Galway on Saturday, November 26, with an improved trade reported.
Numbers remained steady as the mart prepares for the final few sales of the year, according to a Mart Manager Joe Wynne.
Trade was reported to have improved, with prices up by €2-3/head compared to the previous week.
A pen of butcher lambs weighing 39kg made €104/head or €2.66/kg, while a pen of heavier lambs weighing 48/kg sold for €107 or €2.22/kg, as most lots were reported to be sold at the sale.
With regards to cast ewes prices ranged from €78-107/head at the sale on Saturday.