The recent online time auction offering a draft of 14 in-lamb Cheviot ewe hoggets from the flock of Manus McHugh in Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal attracted keen interest and hoggets averaging €867 per head. The general run of prices in the auction hosted by Ballybofey and Stranorlar Mart on the Marteye online sales platform ranged from €600 to €1,000 with a couple of hoggets exceeding this price bracket and a couple selling for €500 per head.

The top price of €1,400 was paid for a Cheviot hogget bred by Benrafton Bullseye and carrying twin lambs to Speenogue Case PG230545. She was purchased locally by a member of the Donegal Pedigree Cheviot Breeders group.

The second-highest price of €1,200 was paid for a hogget of similar breeding and also carrying twin lambs.

ADVERTISEMENT

A significant number of the lower-priced hoggets, which are due to lamb from 23 March to 10 April, were scanned carrying a single lamb.

The flock is a member of the Sheep Ireland Lambplus programme with performance recording said to be an additional selling point with a number of repeat and new customers active. Sheep sold mainly breeders in Sligo and Mayo with a few staying within the county.

There were also four ewe lambs offered in the sale and these averaged at €600 per head, selling for €400, €600 and two at €700 per head.