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Farmer writes: letting nature do its thing with grass
James Strain
This week, farmer writer James Strain discusses sluggish grass growth on land grazed over the winter.
12 February 2025 Markets
Camera at the Mart: lively trade for lambs in Kingscourt
Adam Woods reports from Monday night’s sale of sheep in Kingscourt Mart, Co Cavan.
12 February 2025 Farmer Writes
Farmer Writes: what price is too dear?
Finished cattle are one thing, but the store market has just gone crazy altogether, especially over the last two weeks, writes James Strain.
Sheep price update: factory quotes up 20c/kg and mart prices €2 to €5/head
Factory agents are demonstrating much greater appetite for hoggets, with prices lifted back over €9/kg and resulting in deals to groups and regular sellers to upwards of €9.10/kg.
10 February 2025 Markets
Sheep mart comment: heavy lambs still under pressure though stores stay solid
Reports from mart managers are conflicting, with some seeing an easing of prices, especially for heavy lambs, while other report trade similar to last week.
29 January 2025 Markets
Sheep mart prices: contrasting fortunes for cull and in-lamb ewes
The market for cull ewes has been booming in the last week to 10 days, but, in contrast, in-lamb ewes are meeting a relatively subdued trade, with fewer farmers with an appetite to lamb ewes.
15 January 2025 Markets
Farmer Writes: 2024 over and out
There were some good spells along the way, but I don’t think anyone can deny that the summer of 2024 was just horrible, whether you were a farmer or not, writes James Strain.
3 January 2025 News
Sheep mart watch: sales drawing to close on strong note
Mart throughput in recent weeks has benefitted from a vibrant live trade encouraging producers struggling to negotiate higher prices with factories to sell live.
18 December 2024 Markets
Camera at the Mart: powerful end to 2024 trading at Kenmare Mart
There was a 100% clearance rate at this week's sheep sale in Kenmare Mart. It marked the end of trading for the year and the super trade was a sharp contrast to this time 12 months ago.
16 December 2024 Markets
Sheep mart report: agents anxious for lambs and ewes
Sale reports vary somewhat, depending on the level of competition between buyers, but a noticeable trend is agents looking to source higher numbers.
11 December 2024 Markets
Camera at the Mart: fat lamb trade on fire in Portumna
Adam Woods reports from this week’s sheep sale in Portumna Mart, where some big prices were paid for fat lambs.
4 December 2024 Markets
Sheep mart comment: finished lambs break €200 mark
An increase in factory prices has allowed buyers to pay €200 and above for top-quality finished lambs
4 December 2024 Markets