Loughrea mart’s manager, Jimmy Conney, reported a very strong trade for both hoggets and cull ewes at Thursday’s sale (March 18).
Hogget prices, like at many other marts, continue to reach new highs. This was no different at Loughrea last week, with hoggets selling up to €178/head for 53kg.
Jimmy said that factory and butcher hoggets sold in general, from €150/head up to €175/head. He added that all types of sheep sold very well on Thursday, although store hoggets were in short supply last Thursday.
Sample hogget prices:
- 45kg sold for €145/head or €3.20/kg;
- 46kg sold for €153/head or €3.32/kg;
- 47.2kg sold for €159/head or €3.36/kg;
- 51.5kg sold for €174/head or €3.37/kg;
- 52kg sold for €172/head or €3.30/kg;
- 53.3kg sold for €170/head or €3.18/kg;
- 54.7kg sold for €177/head or €3.23/kg;
- 53kg sold for €178/head or €3.35/kg.
Jimmy also noted a serious trade for both heavy and light cull ewes. A top price of €159/head for 95.5kg was seen in the cull ewe section, with other notable prices of €146-154/head also seen for well-fleshed ewes.
Speaking to AgriLand, Jimmy said: “The trade has been getting stronger week-on-week. You think at some stage it’s going to peak, but it hasn’t; it has stayed on going up and it’s great to see.
The trade for hoggets was up again on the previous week. Prices topped at €169/head the week before and there this week gone by they made up to €178/head.
“There was a great demand for all types of hoggets and that was clear to see obviously with the prices paid out. Even the lighter stores we had were a great trade with a pen of 37.5kg, for example, making €123/head.
“The cull ewe trade also continues to improve, even for lighter the ewes. Last week the heavy ewes made up to €150/head whereas on Thursday gone they sold up to €159/head.
“Even the lighter, lesser-quality ewes were coming into good money on Thursday. All in all, all sheep are a very very good trade, with farmers going home extremely happy with how they are getting on,” he concluded.