Spring lambs sell for £180 a head at auction markets

The first spring lambs have started to come forward at auction markets and, so far, have been selling to a decent trade.

Bridgnorth Livestock Market had its first batch of spring lambs in on 25 March, with an entry of 33 new-season lambs averaging £180 a head, and greater throughputs expected in the coming weeks.

Sedgemoor Auction Centre also saw an entry of spring lambs, with prices topping at £188 a head and 470p/kg liveweight, achieving an overall average of £174.26 a head.

See also: Auction markets see uptick in buyers as heifers near £4/kg

Auctioneer Paul Ashton said trade was very strong, particularly for the handy weight lambs.

“The lighter lambs were very much wanted, while heavier lambs were closer to the hogg price,” he said.

Hogg trade

The hogg trade has remained stable in recent weeks. However, at this time last year the trade had started to lift, and prices have fallen below last year’s levels.

The GB deadweight SQQ averaged 730.5p/kg at GB abattoirs, more than £1/kg below the same week last year.

Meanwhile at auction marts, old-season lamb prices have been in the region of 350p/kg liveweight in recent weeks.

Ramadan comes to an end this week, which has added to demand in the short term.

Easter is also three weeks away and auctioneers say trade could pick up a little before then.

Hoggs achieved an overall average of £142.93 a head at Sedgemoor on 24 March.

Mr Ashton said: “We haven’t seen the big jump in prices that some were expecting.

“I do hear that there is a lot more imports coming over from New Zealand and Australia which are dampening the prices here.

“The 38kg to 42kg lambs were desperately sought after but as soon as they went above that there were less people looking for them.”

Hoggs averaged 358p/kg at Bridgnorth in the past week.

Bridgnorth auctioneer Martin Clack said: “There is certainly a lot of price differential between the best and the worst sheep at the moment and the buyers want those better shaped, well-finished hoggs.

“The sweet spot to sell your hoggs seems to be about 45kg; there is plenty of demand for lambs up to this weight.

“Once you get above this there seems to be an abundance of heavy hoggs about.”