Marts
1 DINGLE
Neilus McAulliffe noted that with factories continuing to squeeze lamb prices and grass burning up the mart trade is suffering. “Trade for lambs is back about €10-15/hd in two weeks,” he said. Prices for lamb saw 44-45kgs sell from €96100/hd with store types at 37kgs making from €74-75/hd. Cull ewes saw a top price of €80/hd paid for 72kgs while 64kgs sold for €65/hd. “A euro a kilo was where culls were at,” Neilus said.
2 BALLINASLOE
Another fall-off in numbers here. Farmers talked of the continuing campaign of factory price cuts which here it was reported helped depress the price of stores. Lambs averaged €50-150/hd with stag ewes €110/hd to a top of €120/hd.
3 CARNEW
A good turn of sheep here saw lambs ease by €2-5/hd while cull ewes and breeding ewes were improved. Lambs from 30-34kg made €65-83/hd with 35-39kgs making €78-94/hd; 40-45kgs sold from €92-104/hd with 40-49kgs making €101-110/hd. Lambs over 50kgs sold from €110-122/hd. Heavy cull ewes made €115-141/ hd while lighter culls went from €55-110. Three to four year old breeding ewes made €110-135/hd.
4 NEW ROSS
Jim Bushe reported his trade for sheep yesterday to be easier with lambs peaking at €119/hd off of a €107/hd base. The division in weights and prices saw that top price achieved in the 46+kg section, while in the 42-45kg section lambs made €96-105/hd. The 38-42kg lamb, Jim said, was a harder sell, explaining: “They are and in between weight at this time of year.” However, a good auctioneer always finds a way, and here the way was at a price of €84-94/hd. Cast ewes, on the other hand, were very positive, with heavier types making €117-133/hd with the lighter ewe €80-111/hd.
5 ENNIS
The combination of seasonally increasing numbers alongside falling factory quotes saw prices here drop as buyers took stock of current market realities. Cull ewes made up to €131/hd, while the top of what could be the last of the hoggets saw 56kgs sell for €119/ hd. On the spring lamb side, top price went to a pen of ten at 48kg who came in at €118/hd.
6 BALLINROBE
It was a similar story here: bigger numbers alongside falling factory quotes combining to create a quieter trade. The store trade saw prices range from €103122/hd while fat ewes sold from €114-124/hd. Trade for the heavier butcher-type lamb ranged from €118-137/hd.