Lamb prices hold at 760-770c/kg with bonuses lifting returns

Entries for the live sales at the marts have eased a little, indicating the peak for the season may be passed.

While the prices have remained unchanged for the lambs at the factories for this week, there is a steadier overall tone to the trade.

The general run of the price is ranging 760-770c/kg plus the quality assurance bonus of 10-20c/kg, depending on the individual factory, for the qualifying lambs. Those on the lower price are generally paying the higher bonus, which levels up most of the returns to producers at 780c/kg.

Producers are reporting that some of the processors are more coy about quoting for the lambs this week and some of the marts are reporting much less activity by factory agents at the sales over recent days, the combination sparking speculation on the market trends forward.

However, suppliers to the factories this week report 785-790c/kg is being paid and in some deals for quality lots up to 800c/kg has been secured, but said to be hard to get and rare.

Entries for the live sales at the marts have eased a little, indicating the peak for the season may be passed. Prices remained firm.

There were 550 head on offer at Kilkenny with auctioneer George Candler reporting "a steady rather than a spectacular trade for sheep", and the prices peaking at €148 over for the tops of the butcher's lambs.

There was a top call of €206 for a pen of 13 butcher's lambs weighing 58kg. A lot of 22 weighing 54kg sold for €200, while five weighing 55kg made €195 and a pen of nine weighing 52kg made €193.

The factory-type lambs sold for up to €121 over.