There was an improved trade for heavy hoggets at many sales last week, with prices stronger by as much as €1-3/head.

Poor weather conditions later in the week led to entries to sales being that bit smaller; however, in the main, it didn’t have too much impact on the trade.

Looking at the trade, heavy hoggets upwards of 50kg, in general, sold from €139/head up to €145/head, with select lots rising to €149-153/head at some sales.

Also Read: Hoggets make up to €151/head at Roscommon Mart

Hoggets in the 47-49kg range made from €129/head up to €138/head on average, with some lacking flesh making back to €125/head.

43-46kg hoggets traded from €120/head up to €129/head mainly, with select quality lots breaking the €130/head mark.

40-42kg stores have been selling from €110/head up to €120/head in general, with better quality lots selling upwards of €120/head.

Also Read: ‘Trade was improved in cases but steady in general; supplies are tightening though’

37-39kg hoggets have been selling from €95/head up to €110/head for good quality types, with exceptional lots making up to €115/head. While more cross-bred types in the same weight bracket have been trading from €85/head up to €95/head.

The trade for culls remained firm last week, with many of those heavy ewes trading from €120/head up to €135/head, with select lots making €136-142/head.

Ewes with lambs at foot remain a good trade, with ewes and single lambs generally selling from €150/unit up to €190/unit, while ewes with twin lambs at foot have been selling from upwards of €200 and making up to highs of €260-295/unit mainly.

Carnew Mart

There were smaller numbers on offer at Carnew Mart on Thursday last (February 11); however, this didn’t impact on the trade, with the mart manager, David Quinn, reporting prices to be up €1-2/head on last week.

David contributed the smaller sale to the poor weather conditions. Looking at the trade, the bulk of the heavy hoggets on offer ranged from €140/head up to €144/head.

Stores from 39-42kg generally sold from €110/head up to €120/head, while hoggets in the 43-48kg weight bracket sold from €120/head up to €135/head.

Sample hogget prices: 

  • 11 weighing 49kg sold for €142/head or €2.53/kg;
  • 25 weighing 52kg sold for €144/head or €2.76/kg;
  • 14 weighing 50kg sold for €141/head or €2.82/kg;
  • 48 weighing 47kg sold for €129/head or €2.74/kg;
  • 13 weighing 46kg sold for €125/head or €2.71/kg;
  • 19 weighing 42kg sold for €118/head or €2.80/kg;
  • 60 weighing 41kg sold for €116/head or €2.82/kg;
  • 19 weighing 39kg sold for €112/head or €2.87/kg.

Lastly, cull ewes, store types sold from €78/head up to €115/head, while heavier types sold from €118/head up to a tops of €137/head.