Sheep processing plants are “anxious” for lambs this week, with trade described as “steady”.
€5.20-€5.30/kg is reportedly available for quality-assured lambs, whilst producer groups are sealing deals at slightly higher prices.
In terms of cull ewes, quotes remain unchanged with between €2.50-€2.70/kg available.
Throughput
The national sheep kill for the week commencing September 28th stood at 62,748 head, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine’s database.
- Lambs/hoggets: 158;
- Spring lambs: 51,749;
- Ewes and rams: 10,840;
- Light lambs: 1.
Over 120,000 head above 2019
The cumulative sheep kill for the year-to-date (excluding this week’s throughput) now stands at 2,183,480, which is running 120,217 head above 2019 levels.
37,155 more lambs/hoggets have been slaughtered in 2020, while the spring lamb kill is up 97,276 head on last year’s levels.
According to the department’s database, 13,882 fewer ewes and rams have been presented for slaughter this year, while 331 fewer light lambs have been processed in DAFM-approved sheep plants.