Sheep Trade Update: November 2024 Prices Steady with Lower-End Increases
- This week’s sheep trade shows an increase in lower-end price quotes compared to last week, while higher prices remain stable.
- November 2024 has been favorable for sheep and beef farmers regarding weather and prices.
- In the week ending November 10, over 41,000 sheep were slaughtered.
Sheep Trade Update
This week’s sheep trade shows an increase in lower-end price quotes compared to last week, while higher prices remain stable.
November 2024 has been favorable for sheep and beef farmers regarding weather and prices. Although colder temperatures are expected this week, sheep prices are likely to stay steady.
In the week ending November 10, over 41,000 sheep were slaughtered. This figure is more than 20,000 sheep lower than the same week last year. The lamb kill reached 36,500 head, down over 16,000 head or 31% from last year.
This week, the higher-end lamb prices are again available at up to €8.00 per kilogram, while general quotes remain 20 cents below this level. Ewe prices have not changed significantly, but lower-end lamb prices have increased by up to 10 cents per kilogram.
Lambs are being quoted at €7.60 per kilogram, with an additional 20 cents for Quality Assurance, bringing the offer to €7.80 per kilogram.
Heavy ewes are priced between €3.90 and €4.10 per kilogram, with some outlets paying up to €4.40 per kilogram for heavy ewes.
Sheep Trade at Dowra Mart
Dowra Mart in Co. Cavan held its weekly sheep sale on November 15. The sale saw a slightly lower volume of sheep compared to previous weeks.
Factory lamb prices remained steady. However, store lambs showed significant increases, with some exceptional prices reported for well-presented forward store lambs.
In the sale, fat lambs reached a top price of €187 per head for a pair weighing 54 kg. Fifteen ewe lambs weighing 49.5 kg sold for €184 each. Another set of 17 ewe lambs weighing 40 kg sold for €156.50 per head, while 13 lambs weighing 38.5 kg fetched €149 each.