May Sheep Prices
Sheep prices, in general, were back in marts and factories across Northern Ireland this week (May 2022).
That is according to the Livestock and Meat Commission, which in its weekly market outlook report, confirmed that base quotes for spring lambs this week were in the region of 610-620p/kg (up to 21kg).
This is compared to the range of 615-620p/kg that it put on the table for this category last week.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the LMC said:
“The deadweight spring lamb price in NI last week was 589.2p/kg, up by 1.4p/kg, while the NI hogget price decreased by 2p/kg to 557.2p/kg.”
The number of spring lambs coming forward for slaughter has increased in recent weeks in line with normal seasonal trends.
According to the LMC, spring lambs are accounting for 52.4% of the price reported kill last week. The total lamb/hogget throughput in NI plants last week amounted to 6,617 head, which was back by 705 head on the previous week.
This is ahead of the same week in 2021 when 4,826 lambs/hoggets were slaughtered in local plants.
Sheep prices in marts
On another note, trade across the marts was “generally back” from previous weeks.
The spokesperson noted that the number of lambs passing through is starting to increase.
In Rathfriland this week, the LMC reported that 216 spring lambs made from 556-606p/kg (avg 588p/kg) compared to 348 spring lambs last week from 547- 600p/kg (avg 577p/kg).
In Ballymena on Wednesday, 502 spring lambs made from 570-619p/kg (avg 590p/kg) compared to 331 spring lambs the previous week, when prices ranged from 550-642p/kg (avg 575p/kg).
The number of spring lambs coming forward for slaughter has increased in recent weeks in line with normal seasonal trends, with spring lambs accounting for 52.4 per cent of the price reported kill last week.
The total lamb/hogget throughput in NI plants last week was 6,617 head back by 705 head on the previous week and well ahead of the same week last year when 4,826 lambs/hoggets were killed in local plants.
In Massereene on Monday, 140 spring lambs changed hands from 578-605p/kg compared to 135 entries last week, which reported prices from 560-602p/kg.
This week the top reported prices for cull ewes ranged from £164-232/head across marts.
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