Heavy lamb prices up €10-15/head at Blessington, as lambs top €153/head

Blessington’s John Doyle reported that heavy lamb prices were stronger by €10-15/head at Tuesday’s sale (January 12).

Last week, at the Wicklow-based mart’s first sheep sale of the new year, fat lambs made up to a top price of €136/head, while on Tuesday the top price for fat lambs was €153/head – which is €17/head more than the previous week.

It was reported that those heavy, butcher lambs traded from €148/head up a high of €153/head. Factory lambs made from €136/head up to €148/head, according to John, with strong factory prices helping to drive the trade on.

While lighter stores, weighing 35-39kg, traded from €88/head up to €110/head.

Heavy ewe prices were also much stronger at Tuesday’s sale. Last week, heavy culls made up to €110/head at Blessington, while on Tuesday fleshed culls sold up to a high of €136/head. In general, these lots made from €115/head up to €135/head.

Lastly, store and forward feeding ewes made from €86/head up to €110-115/head.

Factory lamb prices continue upward trajectory

As reported earlier in the week, deals of up to €6.50/kg were being secured for large bundles of lambs as factories intensify efforts to secure a constant supply of lambs.

The mart trade since Monday has really pushed on again from last week, with factory lamb prices creeping up towards the €140/head mark at many sales.

Overall, factory lambs, across marts, are making anywhere from €127/head up to €135/head, with select lots selling from €135-145/head.