Sheep breeding sales

The group, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, has grown to over 400 members and is one of the largest in the country.

The entry of just shy of 600 hoggets averaged €255/head, while over 1,000 Mule ewe lambs recorded an average price of €152.50/head, writes Shaun Diver.

A number of sales held in the last week all reported a similar trend of keen demand for relatively tight supplies of quality ewe hoggets and ewe lambs.

The Aughrim Sheep Breeders 57th annual show and sale saw Cheviot hoggets average over €266/head, while ewe lambs averaged over €168/head.

The sale of the native breed is one of the largest in recent years with over 100 sheep entered including a strong ewe lamb class and 20 rams, 13 of which are SIS eligible.

The Cooley Sheep Breeders Association upcoming show and sale is bucking the 2024 trend of lower entries with this year’s sale entry up by 400 to 500 head.

An entry of over 900 Mule ewe hoggets recorded a fine average of over €263/head at the Mayo Mule and Greyface Sale in Aurivo Mart Ballinrobe, while ewe lambs topped €180/head.

The Sheep Ireland sale recorded an average price of €853 for 464 rams across 11 breeds and achieved a high clearance rate of 90%.