Mart managers are reporting that buyers are more anxious for fleshed lambs as factory quotes continue to improve. Prices for factory-fit lambs have increased in some marts by €5 to €6 per head in the last week as factory agents try to secure numbers.

Fit lambs weighing 45kg to 50kg are making from €96 to €102/head, or €51 to €52 over. One mart manager in the west said there was more demand for ram lambs this week for export. Some lambs weighing 50+kg are making €104 to €110, with the higher prices being driven by butcher demand.

Farmer competition is still maintaining the strong store lamb trade. In the majority of cases, lowland lambs are moving in excess of €2/kg.

Lowland lambs weighing 30kg to 35kg are making from €67 to €75, or €37 to €40 over. Heavier lambs weighing 35kg to 40kg are making on average €76 to €85, or €41 to €45 over. Mart managers are reporting that ewe lambs which would make good breeding replacements are making price premiums of €10 to €20/head on average, compared with similar weight counterparts, with even higher prices achieved for certain lots.

In special breeding sales, ewe lambs are selling from €110 all the way to €140/head.

In the breeding ewe sales, prices for ewe hoggets are strong, with many quality lots moving from €190 to €210/head.

Some lesser-quality hoggets are trading from €165 to €180/head. Second-crop ewes are selling from €160 to €180/head.

Cull ewe prices are strong, with large-framed, well-fleshed ewes selling from €130 to €140/head.

Peter Varley