Weak Christmas trade disappoints sheep farmers

THE sheep trade has continued at a disappointing level for farmers this week, as markets failed to deliver the expected pre-Christmas price boost. However, high prices in May and strong home market demand have kept average sheep prices for the year 2% ahead of 12005.

This week’s prices at the factories remained more or less unchanged, with minor variations between the processors’ quotes.

The best quotes came from Kildare, and Kepak at Hacketstown, where the base is 342 cents/kg (122p/lb) plus the usual quality bonus of up to 6 cents/kg (2p/lb).