The prices being paid by customers for heavy hoggets at Tullow Mart in Co. Carlow have taken "a real positive jump forward", with prices in excess of €215/head achieved at the most recent sale.

Speaking to Agriland, Tullow Mart manager Eric Driver welcomed the "significant rise in hogget prices".

Commenting on the trade at the Tullow Mart sheep sale on Tuesday, March 10, he said: "We seen the first of the real spring trade with heavy hoggets taking a real positive jump forward".

Driver said that hogget prices in excess of €215/head were paid, with one pen of hoggets weighing 55kg making €217/head.

He said: "The majority of hoggets between 50-56kg sold from €202-215/head - a noticeable €15/head better off in the week."

Fleshed hoggets weighing 46-49kg sold from €195-210/head with the trade being driven by the wholesaler customer, according to the mart manager.

"Wholesalers have proven to be a lifeline of sheep pricing this past number of months as they have independently forced the factories to move forward with much resistance been shown by these very factories," Driver said.

Driver said that the cull ewe trade also hardened with a noticeable demand for well-fleshed, 70kg ewes selling up to €2.50-€2.60/kg.

The heavier ewes over 90kg also met improved trade with up to €260 paid for ewes in this bracket.

Due to St Patrick's Day falling next Tuesday, Tullow Mart will host its next sheep sale on Monday, March 16, at 2:00p.m, with gates open from 11:00a.m for the intake of sheep.

The Tullow Mart manager encouraged all farmers with fleshed sheep to sell "to give the mart ring a consideration".

He said: "The sales yard has yet again proven to be the tool that gives market independence and allows open marketing of sheep."