The sheep trade has been somewhat easier this week following factory price cuts on spring lambs, hoggets and cast ewes on Monday.
A number of sheep factories moved to drop the spring lamb price by 50c/kg and the hogget price by 30c/kg, a move that has been felt in sheep marts across the country.
Sheep met with a more difficult trade in Kilkenny Mart, Cillin Hill on Monday, according to the Mart’s Auctioneer George Candler.
Candler said there was a tougher trade for all the sheep on offer, but spring lambs were particularly disappointing, with new season lambs selling from €2.50-2.65/kg, down from a high of €2.90c/kg last week.
The Auctioneer also said that cull ewes met with a sluggish trade, with the top lot making €115, while ewes with lambs made €170-200.
The sheep trade was also a little easier in Raphoe Mart on Monday. According to the Mart Manager Anne Harkin, spring lambs sold from €115-132 each, back from €120-137 last week.
Hogget prices were also a little easier, with lots making €115-132 each, in the corresponding sale last week these lots sold to a top price of €132 each.
However, cast ewe prices remained similar at €70-128 each, while ewes with twin lambs sold to a top price of €258.
Spring lambs were also easier in Mountbellew Mart on Saturday, the Mart Manager Marianne Higgins has said, as there was a bigger number of sheep on offer, with spring lambs trading from €2.39-2.71/kg.
However, despite the ease in demand for spring lambs, the hogget trade continued to remain firm, especially for the fleshed lots suitable for factory buyers, which sold from €1.91-2.66/kg.
Higgins also said there was a large entry of cast ewes on offer, with these lots meeting with a strong trade, particularly for the fleshed lots. Generally speaking these lots sold from €80-127 each.
Raphoe Mart
Mountbellew Mart