No change in the market is good news for sheep farm
Prices continued at the same level Tuesday, with the usual bonus payments of up to 6 cents/kg for superior quality.
The pattern was broadly similar at the marts, where prices were maintained and in some cases a little stronger for the quality lots this week.
There was a good entry of 700 head at Fermoy on Monday.
Trade was similar to last week for most lots, with slightly more attainable for quality lots. Butchers lambs sold from €62 to €88 per head, which was €26 to €35 over €1 per kg.
Factory lots made €50 to 64, which worked out at €11 to 20 over €1/kg.
At Kilkenny, there were 1,600 head on offer, with a steady trade and prices similar to last week. The butchers’ lambs made up to €85 per head for 53kg, and ranged from €17 to 32 over.
Factory agents paid up to €32 over, with prices ranging back to €18 over. The store lambs sold at €17 to 21. There were early 200 breeding ewes on offer. They sold at €70 to 105 for the hoggets, and €40 to 85 per head for two and three year olds.
The trade in Britain has been steady through the past week, with demand stable and prices unchanged.
Reports are similar from France, where the top quality Irish lamb is making 380 cents/kg delivered to Paris.
The holiday season is coming to an end and demand for roasting and grilling cuts is increasing, as the temperature drops.
