Sheep farmers welcome best ever January prices for hoggets

Processors have  to pay 620-630 cents/kg

Sheep on a Co Kerry farm last weekend under Carrauntoohill (left) and Beenkeeragh (right).  Picture: Don MacMonagle

The lamb trade continues to deliver beyond expectations to sheep farmers, as the ongoing scarcity of supplies drives the trade at factories to unprecedented highs for January prices.

Good things come to those who wait, and it is the turn of lamb producers who stuck with sheep during some of the most difficult years to reap some reward for their endurance.