A rise in hogget prices is adding to a solid cull ewe / ewe and lamb trade – and is generating more optimism in sheep sales.

Hogget prices have increased anywhere from €6 to €12 per head, with the greatest lift for slaughter-fit lambs.

Factory agents have stepped up competition levels and while the higher prices are attracting out marginally higher entries, the reality is that supplies are failing to meet demand.

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A percentage of hoggets attracted to the ring are heavy ewe hoggets with variable levels of finish. This is giving rise to a wide differential in price.

Good-quality fleshed lambs weighing 52kg upwards are trading from €70 to €75 over for lots with a low to average cover of flesh and from €80 to €85 over for well-finished hoggets.

Keen demand is also witnessing agents purchasing at lighter weights. Hoggets weighing 44kg to 48kg are trading from €70 to €78 over, with lighter lots weighing back to 40kg trading anywhere from €65 to €75 over, depending on flesh cover.

The cull ewe trade is excellent. Large-framed, fleshed ewes are trading from €120 all the way to €150 per head. Average-sized, slaughter-fit ewes are trading from €100 to €120, with very few ewes selling below €80 per head.

Ewes with twin lambs at foot are trading on average from €180 for aged ewes/average-quality lambs to €220 with young ewes and good-quality lambs rising to €250 and even higher. Single lamb lots are selling on average from €130 to €200 per head.

Small numbers of hill ewes are appearing, trading from €80 to €100 for full mouth or single-bearing ewes to €150 for young, quality ewes carrying twin lambs.

Lowland ewes are selling from €130 to €180 for twin-bearing lots lambing in the coming weeks.