Sheep
An improved sheep trade has been noted at many livestock marts across Ireland this week for spring and store lambs.
With breeding sheep sales easing across the country, the focus for some buyers may now be returning to the store lamb trade in marts.
While spring lamb prices have continued to remain steady, the cull ewe trade has received another hit this week.
The current trade for spring lambs has been described as "static," as there has been little movement in prices this week.
The supply of spring lamb has increased by over 6,800 head in a week, according to the latest sheep kill figures from the DAFM.
The sheep trade this week has shown signs of stability for lamb prices, but the same cannot be said for ewe prices from some processors.
There have been over 188,000 fewer sheep slaughtered to-date in 2024 when compared to the same period last year, according to the DAFM.
Prices for spring lamb received a boost this week as factories have added 10c/kg on to their quotes for suppliers.
Weekly reductions in prices for spring lamb appear to have ceased from factories that are providing...
Kilkenny Mart auctioneer George Candler has told Agriland that the trade for spring lambs has gone "belly up".
Cuts to spring lamb and hogget prices have continued as 50c/kg has been taken off their base prices this week.
The most recent sale at Loughrea Mart showed there was an "active" trade for ram lambs for export there on the day.
Last week’s sheep kill resulted in over 39,000 sheep processed, according to figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Spring lambs have made up one third of last week's throughput, the most recent sheep kill figures from the DAFM have shown.
From different areas across the country, Agriland takes a look at the current sheep trade as it stands in some livestock marts.
While factory prices in the sheep trade have held this week, farmers are urged to consider other options for where to bring their livestock.
Prices in the sheep trade this week have shown upward movement in many cases, as quotes from...
The weekly sheep sale at Blessington Mart in Co. Wicklow showed a good demand for all varieties of...
The trade for hoggets has continued to rise on a weekly basis, with an increase of up to 30c/kg seen since last week.
The supply of lambs and hoggets this year is running over 18,000 head behind the same period in 2024. With the supply of sheep...
Spring lambs led the way in 2023 as the sheep category with the highest number killed, but it was significantly behind the total in 2022.
Speaking to Agriland on how the Irish sheep sector fared in 2023, IFA sheep chair, Adrian Gallagher also offered an outlook for 2024.
Figures from the DAFM have shown the number of sheep classed as spring lambs that were killed last week was the highest in 2023 to-date
