Sheep mart prices: flesh cover critical in lamb sales

The trade for well-fleshed lambs in marts is holding solid despite factory quotes slipping this week.

Demand is being helped by supplies failing to satisfy buyer appetite, with numbers of top-quality lambs reported as low by mart managers.

They point out that there is the same number of heavier lambs on offer for the time of year but explain that there are far fewer farmers feeding lambs leading to a wide differential in prices paid.

Well-fleshed lambs weighing upwards of 48kg and capable of killing in excess of 21kg carcase weight are trading from €136 to €142, with select lots of fleshed heavy lambs weighing up to 55kg selling to the mid-to-high €140s. This is pushing good-quality fleshed ewe lambs with breeding potential to top prices of €150 per head or slightly higher.

In contrast, lambs weighing 48kg to 50kg and lacking significant flesh are selling from €15 to €22 lower, with agents factoring in the potential for a lower kill-out and possible cuts. It is a similar story for lambs weighing in the region of 45kg to 46kg. Well-fleshed quality lambs are trading from €120 to €130, while lambs lacking significant flesh or plainer-quality and crossbred types are selling back to €110 or lower.

There are more buyers competing for store lambs and this is helping to keep a firm floor under the trade.

Prices are unchanged, with well-presented lowland lambs ranging in price from €2.55/kg to €2.80/kg. Plainer quality lambs are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.45/kg while light male hill and crossbred/lowland lambs that have had their growth stunted are trading back to €2/kg.

The cull ewe trade is steady with a price range of €130 to €145 accounting for a high percentage of heavier ewes weighing upwards of 85kg to 90kg. Select lots of excellent quality ewes are selling to €170 on occasion. Lighter ewes weighing around the 75kg mark are trading from €90 to €115 depending on quality and condition while Scotch ewes continue to trade on average from €0.90/kg to €1.20/kg.