Top of the tree were twenty 55kg lambs at €174/hd, with four 53kg ewe lambs next at €166/hd. While yesterday’s sale saw good numbers, they were back on previous weeks, with supplies starting to “level off” Will reduction in quality push prices south as numbers fall?.Quality assurance revelation leaves big questions for sector to answer.Jim also pointed out that as numbers fall, demand for cull ewes could yet see their price improve, even though they are not a premium product.

Jim Bushe of New Ross is of the same opinion, pointing out that farmers “are killing sheep earlier and maybe at lighter weights to avoid feeding”. On the mart front, demand appears undampened as quality lamb yesterday ranged from €3.20-3.55/kg.īoth Tom McGuire of Ballinrobe and Michael Harty of Central Auctions noted that those good factory prices are underpinning the trade and are keeping numbers coming. However, two factory agents told me that their sales teams were telling them that “further price rises will dampen demand”. However, by yesterday there seemed to be a tone of resignation among those factory representatives I spoke with - a tone that amounted to “we’ll probably have to give what we’ll have to give”.Īnd all of this two weeks before factories start looking in earnest for supplies for Christmas. Several sources reported that the trade had got “sticky” as factories hardened their approach on price.

Pass home sheep home 2 level 8