There is definitely more bite in the trade for spring lambs and is contrary to factory attempts to pull back prices last week.

The improvement in the trade is mainly being driven by a reduction in the availability of hoggets.

The dwindling hogget supply is very evident in the marts now and factory agents have turned their attention to spring lambs.

Most producers are being paid €6.00/kg to €6.05/kg for their lambs now, with higher prices of €6.10/kg to €6.15/kg secured by producer groups when all bonuses are taken into account. Weight limits have also increased in some plants by 0.5kg to a limit of 20.5kg.

Liveweight gains are exceptional and the weather is boosting lamb performance. Farmers should keep this in mind and draft lambs when they hit slaughter weight rather than holding on too long and selling overweight lambs.

The official base quotes have not really changed to reflect the increased demand on the ground for lambs. Kildare Chilling was the one exception here; it increased its quote by 20c/kg to a base of €6.00/kg excluding bonuses. Kepak and Irish Country Meats held their quotes at a base of €5.90/kg and €5.70/kg respectively.

Kepak has made the switch to spring lambs now, but a spokesperson said they are still in the market for hoggets. The remaining factories are expected to make the switch by Friday week.

Hogget prices remain stable, with some slight improvements, but numbers are beginning to tighten significantly as the last of the tail-end supplies are processed.

There has been an improvement of 5c/kg for hoggets and sellers handling small numbers are securing €5.05/kg to €5.10/kg.

Some specialised finishers and groups are securing higher, with top prices reported at €5.15/kg to €5.20/kg.

IFA national sheep chair John Lynskey said factories will be eager to source adequate supplies for Ramadan, which starts on 27 May this year.

NI

Just 3,700 sheep came from the North for direct slaughter in the south last week.

Factories in the North have been reducing hogget quotes in an attempt to flush out the remaining numbers.

Spring lambs are being bought at £4.60/kg (€5.81/kg including VAT), but agents purchasing for southern plants are paying more in marts and driving the trade.

Cull ewes

After last week’s reductions of 10c/kg to 20c/kg, ewe prices have stabilised.

Farmer sellers are securing €2.70/kg to €2.80/kg for large numbers, with agents securing top prices of €2.80/kg.

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Spring lamb prices on the rise at marts