Factory cuts questioned as numbers continue to drop off
The factories say the trade has flatlined since Easter, with Ramadan before that not as vigorous as other years.
By contrast, IFA sheep chair Adrian Gallagher said last week that while 'Easter and Ramadan did drive strong prices, tighter supplies on the ground should keep prices strong for farmers.
'The recent move by factories to cut prices is at odds with the market conditions. Throughput has continued to drop off with numbers well back from this time last year, and a further drop expected.'
Department of Agriculture figures show that factory slaughterings in the week running up to Easter Sunday (April 20) totalled 45,341 – this was up 10,811 on the same week last year but back 13,702 on Easter week for 2024.
The total kill for the year is back 18pc or 148,769 on the same period last year at 656,669.
Imports from the North for direct slaughter in the Republic fell by around to 10,000 during March to just over 30,000; the Livestock and Meat Commission put number of sheep exported for slaughter to the Republic for the year to mid-April at 86,618.
Meanwhile trade in the UK continues to fall further behind the market here, with deadweight lamb prices averaging €8.25/kg there for the week ending April 19.
As to what is being paid on ground here, ICSA sheep chair Willie Shaw said spring lambs in general are still being bought at €9.20/kg, while bigger operators and groups were struggling into a top of €9.40/kg.
He said hoggets are mostly making around €8.65/kg, with the very top at €8.90/kg, again for those with bigger numbers, while culls continue to range from €5.50-5.65/kg.
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Marts reported smaller numbers last week, with prices softening on the back of reduced factory prices and a wet and cold week: returns in some areas were back €30-40/hd across all sections when compared to pre-Easter.
However, Ennis mart manager Martin McNamara was upbeat about yesterday's sale, describing it as 'better than expected', with spring lambs averaging €4.35/kg.
George Candler, though, described the trade in Kilkenny yesterday as 'very disappointing, especially for spring lambs, with a difference of €10-20/hd on last year's returns.
'Current prices would not offer a lot of encouragement for those who would be interested in expanding their numbers.'
What many in the business cannot get their head around is that while beef is making up to €8.20/kg, sheep are struggling in a market where numbers have all but collapsed.
In Kilkenny, butcher's hoggets peaked at €210/hd for 68kgs, although better types at 58-59kg made €2.06-207/hd, with eleven at 52kg selling for €196/hd or €3.77/kg.
On the spring lamb side, the top call was the €218/hd or €3.96/kg paid for ten 55kgs. 44-45kgs sold for €187-188/hd or €4.07-4.18/kg, while 43-44kgs made €186-87/hd or €4.25-4.33/kg.
The top call among the factory hoggets was the €180/hd for 47kgs, with 45-46kgs making €170-178/hd and 42-43kgs at €170-173/hd.
Cast ewes sold for €110-320/hd.
Around the marts
Ennis mart
Trade was 'better than expected' at yesterday's sale of 510 sheep, according to Martin McNamara
Spring lambs averaged €4.35/kg, with a batch of 52.5kgs making €237/kg and 43.5kgs reaching €212/hd.
Hoggets averaged €3.45/kg to a top of €3.95/kg. Ten 46kgs sold for €182/hd.
Cull ewes averaged €2.59/kg, with heavy ewes selling to €3/kg.
Ewes with singles at foot sold to €370/hd, while those with doubles made up to €415/family.
Enniscorthy mart
Kevin Murphy attributed last week's smaller numbers to falling factory quotes, and spring lambs prices were down here: 40-44kgs generally made €186-198/hd.
Seven 101kg cull ewes made €275/hd and 90kgs sell to €272/hd, but even these prices were back €30-40/hd on three weeks ago. 70-72kgs sold from €168-172/hd with 77kgs making €202/hd.
'Poor factory pricing is encouraging farmers to keep sheep on hand' Kevin said.
Ballinrobe mart
Numbers were reduced on Thursday, with prices also softening.
Hoggets ranged from €162-202/hd or €3.36-4.25/kg, averaging €3.57/kg.
Cull ewes made up the bulk of the sheep on offer, making €90-296/hd (€1.91-3.30/kg) and averaging €191/hd or €2.75/kg.
Ewes with lambs at foot sold from €200/unit to €340/unit for one with twins at foot.
Fermoy mart
Numbers here were down to 260 last Monday. Spring lambs sold for €190-210/hd.
Sean Leahy reported trade for hogget as being 'sticky enough', with 52-53kgs making around €200/hd and better quality at around €220/hd.
Numbers of cull ewes were strong with their trade no less so: 100kg types generally made €300/hd, with the top at €306/hd.
Lighter culls from 70-80kg made €255-260/hd, but 85kg Texels sold for €280-285/hd.
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