Weak demand for breeding ewes raises flock decline fears

Lamb quotes remain unchanged as supply and demand balance, but weak interest in breeding ewes is raising concerns about a further decline in the national flock

Lambs are being quoted at 785-790c/kg plus the quality bonus, which puts returns to suppliers at 800-805c/kg, with a lift in the trade still being awaited as the season ticks on.

Factory quotes for lambs are unchanged this week, with supply and demand in balance, while factory lots met a slightly weaker trade at mart sales in the early days of this week.

Lambs are being quoted at 785-790c/kg plus the quality bonus, which puts returns to suppliers at 800-805c/kg, with a lift in the trade still being awaited as the season ticks on.

Factory agents were not as active at the live sales this week, as processors appear to be satisfied with the intake to meet their requirements.

Some concern is also being expressed about the lack of interest in breeding stock at the mart sales as a possible indicator of further decline on the way for the breeding flock.

Kilkenny auctioneer George Candler, who has decades of experience in the trade, commented: “Our breeding ewe sales never took off, which would indicate that very few sheep farmers are increasing numbers, even though prices have remained solid.” 

There is also the suggestion that younger farmers are no longer interested in taking on this task, especially when it comes to lambing time. If this trend continues, sheep numbers will definitely decline. 

The entry for Monday’s sale at Kilkenny was solid at 660 head, with a top price of €220 recorded for a pen of 22 butcher lambs weighing 59kg.

A lot of six weighing 63kg also sold for €220, while 24 at 56kg made €218 and 14 at 54kg sold for €209. Factory-type lots sold for up to €138 over.

There was a top price of €216 at Corrin Mart on Monday for a pen of eight butcher lambs weighing 52kg, while a pen of six weighing 51kg made €212 and a lot of six at 62kg sold for €211.