Last week’s price rises were built on again this week in the marts, with prices rising by €1 to €2/head on average. Lambs weighing 46kg to 48kg are selling for €96 to €105/head, with flesh cover dictating higher prices paid. Short-keep lambs weighing 42kg to 44kg are particularly in demand as specialised feeders compete for numbers.
Last week’s price rises were built on again this week in the marts, with prices rising by €1 to €2/head on average. Lambs weighing 46kg to 48kg are selling for €96 to €105/head, with flesh cover dictating higher prices paid.
Short-keep lambs weighing 42kg to 44kg are particularly in demand as specialised feeders compete for numbers.
Good-quality short-keep lambs are selling for €88/head to €95/head and buyers are aiming to have these lambs factory-fit ahead of the Christmas trade when prices often rise.
Prices for lambs weighing 50+kg and suitable for the butcher trade are holding steady at €105 to €110/head.
Lighter lowland-bred store lambs weighing 30kg to 35kg are selling from €68 to €80/head, with plenty of demand for this weight range among farmers.
Scotch-bred ewe lambs weighing 22kg to 28kg are selling from €46 to €54/head. Heavier Scotch-bred lambs weighing 30kg to 34kg are selling for €67 to €72/head. Sales of Scotch-bred breeding hoggets are getting smaller now as the season pushes on, with prices ranging from €80 to €110/head.
The renewed buzz in the lamb trade extended to cull ewes, where prices also saw an improvement. Where previously moderately fleshed ewes were selling for €75 to €80/head, mart managers report prices for these types exceeding €80/head.
Prices for large-framed and well-fleshed ewes are now ranging from €95 to €110/head. Scotch-bred cull ewes are making 80c/kg on average, with prices ranging from €24 to €40/head depending on size and flesh cover.
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