This is a subscriber-only article
The sheep trade for the start of the week has been largely steady, but farmer resolve is set to be tested by a couple of plants with quotes for Thursday reduced by 10c/kg.
Ballon Meats has reduced its all-in quote by 10c/kg to €4.90/kg, while the two Irish Country Meats plants have reduced their base quote by 10c/kg to €4.70/kg.
The remaining plants are unchanged, with Kepak Athleague on a base of €4.85/kg, Moyvalley Meats quoting an all-in price of €5.00/kg and Dawn Ballyhaunis quoting a base of €4.80/kg. Kildare Chilling is not quoting for Thursday.
While quotes are largely unchanged, reports show that some sellers with less negotiating power are facing a greater challenge in securing higher prices, with plants trying to curtail top prices paid to €5.00/kg to €5.05/kg.
Regular sellers handling large numbers and with greater negotiating power are still holding out and negotiating €5.10/kg.
There are also some plants willing to pay higher for groups of lambs that are clean and dry and will not fall foul of the clean livestock policy. Lambs that are both wet and dirty are still the greatest challenge. There will be more on this subject next week.
The northern trade is stronger, with plants quoting £4.15/kg or the equivalent of €4.68/kg at 88.7p to the euro and €4.93/kg when VAT is included at 5.4%.
Regular sellers continue to secure 5p/kg higher, with agents sourcing lambs in marts competing in a tighter supply pool with buyers purchasing for southern plants.
The number of lambs imported south last week for direct slaughter was recorded at 10,134, up 679 head on the week previous. There was still a strong northern kill, with throughput rising 2,696 head to 9,229. Southern plants importing sheep this week are having to pay more to secure sales.
Irish Grade 1 lambs are reported as trading at €5.00/kg to €5.10/kg or the equivalent of €5.27/kg to €5.38/kg VAT inclusive at 5.4%. Reports indicate that price is being underpinned by relatively tight supplies. The strongest demand is for forequarter cuts such as shoulders and necks, with trade for legs and loins reported as more difficult.
Ewe trade
The ewe trade is steady, with numbers available still relatively tight. Plants are quoting €2.80/kg, but regular sellers are securing €2.90/kg to €3.00/kg, with top prices of €3.10/kg to €3.15/kg. The live trade remains very strong for heavy carcase ewes and this avenue may be a better bet for farmers with small numbers who are struggling to negotiate either higher prices or paid carcase weight limits.
Late pregnancy nutrition –the foundation to flock profitability
Improved demand for well-fleshed lambs and ewes
SHARING OPTIONS: