Sheep trade

There is continued variability in slaughter performance of lambs, with well-fleshed lambs in keen demand.

Opening quotes for quality assured lambs are reported as ranging from €7.20/kg to €7.40/kg with a high percentage of opening offers in the region of €7.30/kg.

Opening prices for quality assured lambs range from €7.20/kg to €7.40/kg, with a high percentage of lambs trading from €7.30/kg to €7.45/kg.

There are plenty of price trend positives within the beef and sheep trade across Northern Ireland.

Reports indicate supplies have increased in recent days, taking the pressure from agents to compete to the same degree and pay well above quoted prices.

On this week's Farm Tech Talk, the team looks at the sheep trade, dairy markets and we take a look at TAMS reference costs compared with actual fencing expenses.

A number of plants have increased base quotes by 5c/kg to 10c/kg, opening up a wider differential, with opening prices for quality assured lambs ranging from €7.20/kg to €7.40/kg.

For farmers buying store lambs, Kieran Mailey outlines the steps to consider when completing a breakeven budget.