Mart managers reported a strong trade once again for breeding sheep, with ewe hoggets, in particular, catching the eye.

A couple of special breeding sales were held over the past seven days and, in general, the trade has been very positive.

Nice-quality hoggets continue to break past the €200/head mark in numerous marts across the country.

Plainer, smaller-framed hoggets are generally selling from €130/head up to €150/head, with better-quality hoggets making from €160/head up to €190/head.

At the top end of the scale, prices of up to €250/head were achieved for Suffolk hoggets in Dowra Mart last Friday (August 21), while on Saturday (August 22), at Roscommon Mart, a top price of €240/head was secured for hoggets.

In general, top-quality hoggets are selling from €190/head up to €230/head, with select lots, as mentioned above, exceeding this price range.

In terms of ewe lambs, again, mart managers have had nothing but positive words to say. In general, nice ewe lambs – fit for breeding – are making from €100/head up to €130/head, with select lots exceeding this price range in places.

Tom Coleman of Baltinglass Mart reported that nice Suffolk-cross ewe lambs weighing 45kg sold for a top price of €138/head at last Saturday’s sale (August 21).

Lastly, two, three and four-year-old ewes have been trading for €110-185/head over the past week in most marts.