Mart managers across the country have reported an increase in demand for store lambs, with plenty of customers for these lots.
Prices for store lambs are ranging from €80/head for lambs weighing 34kg up to €98/head for lambs weighing 44kg.
There continues to be a strong demand for butcher and factory-fit lambs, with prices for these lots ranging from €100/head up to €120/head for lambs weighing between 45kg and 60kg.
Over the past number of weeks, store lamb prices have increased by as much €10.00-12.00/head. Furthermore, the same can be said for butcher and factory-fit lambs, with factory agents and farmers paying €8.00-15.00/head more since base quotes started to increase in meat processing facilities.
There has been no change in the cull ewe section, with prices of up to €120/head being achieved for heavy ewes. Feeding ewes are a steady trade, with prices ranging from €45/head up to €80/head.
Baltinglass Mart
Baltinglass Mart held its weekly sheep sale on Saturday last, December 14.
There was a big sale of factory-fit and store lambs, with a strong demand for all classes of sheep, according to the mart manager, Tom Coleman.
Prices were similar to last week, with a top price of €117/head for three lambs weighing 55kg.
In the store lamb section, the top price on the day was €98/head for 17 lambs weighing 42kg.
Furthermore, cull ewes were a good trade, with prices ranging from €60/head up to €93/head.
Sample lamb prices:
- Six lambs weighing 50kg sold for €110/head;
- 21 lambs weighing 55kg sold for €109/head;
- Six lambs weighing 50kg sold for €108/head;
- 16 lambs weighing 48kg sold for €106/head;
- Four lambs weighing 46kg sold for €100/head;
- Three lambs weighing 44kg sold for €100/head.
Roscommon Mart
There was a smaller entry of sheep on offer at Roscommon Mart on Wednesday last, December 11.
There was a good demand for factory-fit lambs and cast ewes, according to the mart manager, Maura Quigley.
A top price of €115/head was achieved on the day for a pen of factory-fit lambs weighing 56kg.
Cast ewe prices ranged from €70/head up to €120/head.
Sample factory-fit lamb prices:
- 56kg: €115/head;
- 56.8kg: €115/head;
- 51kg: €112/head;
- 53kg: €112/head;
- 50.9kg: €110/head.
Store lamb prices:
- 42.3kg: €87/head;
- 40.5kg: €85/head;
- 39kg: €85/head;
- 40.1kg: €85/head;
- 39.3kg: €80/head.
Raphoe Mart
Raphoe Mart held its weekly sheep sale on Monday, December 9. There was a large entry of quality sheep, according to the mart manager, Anne Harkin.
There was a good trade for all classes of sheep, with a top price of €118/head achieved for lambs weighing 60kg.
Heavy ewes sold from €60/head up to €125/head.
Sample lamb prices:
- 30-34kg: €70-80/head;
- 34-37kg: €80-90/head;
- 38-44kg: €90-99/head;
- 44-47kg: €100-110/head;
- 48-60kg: €110-118/head.
Dowra Mart
There was a strong entry of over 1,000 sheep on offer at Dowra Mart on Friday last, December 13.
There was a good trade for all classes of sheep, especially for well-fleshed lambs, with a top price of €124/head for a pen of ewe lambs, according to the mart manager, Patsy Smyth.
Factory lambs made from €94.50/head up to €117.50/head, with good-quality forward store lambs making from €80/head up to a top price of €93.50/head.
Sample factory-fit lamb prices:
- Seven crossbred ram lambs weighing 53.5kg sold for €117.50/head;
- Six crossbred ewe lambs weighing 52kg sold for €117/head;
- 31 Suffolk cross ram lambs weighing 51kg sold for €113.50/head;
- 15 Suffolk cross ram lambs weighing 50kg sold for €112.50/head;
- 16 Suffolk cross ram lambs weighing 48kg sold for €110.50/head;
- 21 Suffolk cross ram lambs weighing 47kg sold for €108.50/head.
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- This pen of eight ram lambs sold for €86.50/head
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- This pen of nine lambs weighing 40.5kg sold for €90.50/head
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- This pen of 13 ram lambs weighing 49kg sold for €110.50/head
Carnew Mart
Some 3,021 sheep were on offer at Carnew Mart on Thursday last, December 12. There was a strong demand for lambs, with a full clearance reported.
A strong demand for store lambs led to an improved trade, according to the mart manager, David Quinn.
Butcher and factory-fit lamb prices ranged from €105/head up to €115/head, with up to €121/head paid for quality ewe lambs.
Furthermore, cull ewe prices ranged from €65/head up to €122/head.
Sample lamb prices:
- 12 ewe lambs weighing 56kg sold for €121/head;
- 18 ram lambs weighing 58kg sold for €115/head;
- 25 lambs weighing 52kg sold for €114/head;
- 18 lambs weighing 51kg sold for €113/head;
- 10 ewe lambs weighing 46kg sold for €113/head.