Richard Kirwan, the mart manager of Waterford Ross Mart, reported a steady, but strong trade for spring lambs and hoggets at Monday’s (April 19) weekly sheep sale – although the cull ewe trade was slightly easier.

Spring lamb prices topped €181/head for 50kg, while hogget prices reached a high of €188/head.

Richard said there was no slip in prices for hoggets or spring lambs, despite factories talking back prices.

However, he noted a slightly easier trade for cull ewes, with prices back about €3-5/head in places.

Speaking to Agriland after the conclusion of the sale, Richard said: “The spring lamb and hogget trade was steady, but still very strong, with prices similar to what we saw last week.

“In saying that, even though the trade was steady for lambs and hoggets, the prices we are still seeing are unbelievable.

“1,369 sheep went through the ring on the day, with the majority of those consisting of spring lambs and hoggets.

“Spring lambs sold up to a high of €181/head, while hoggets made up to €188/head.

“Looking at the general run of prices, starting with the spring lambs, anything over 45kg generally made from €169/head up to €181/head, with lambs weighing below this making from €144/head up to €166/head,” Richard added.

“Meanwhile, the hogget trade was just as strong, with prices for those fleshed 50kg plus hoggets ranging from €176/head up to €188/head.

“More factory-type hoggets made from €144/head up to €175/head.”

‘Cull ewe trade slightly easier’

Richard – as already noted – mentioned that the cull ewe trade was slightly easier on Monday, in comparison to the previous week.

He added: “The cull ewe trade was slightly easier this week for both the heavy and light ewes.

“If I was to put a figure on it, I’d say prices were back maybe €3-5/head in places.

“It wasn’t major by any means, as those heavy ewes still sold up to a high of €178/head. In general, those heavy ewes traded from €142/head up to €175/head.

“The lighter ewes generally made from €100/head up to €137/head.

“Lastly, looking at the ewes with lambs at foot, aged ewes with single lambs started from €150/unit, while young ewes with two lambs at foot were selling up to €325/unit,” he concluded.