Prices for factory lambs are stable in the main, but some managers said prices were back €1 to €2/head in some sales. Lambs weighing 45kg to 48kg were making €92 to €103, or €47 to €55 over the weight. Managers report that flesh covers on lambs entering sales is variable especially in western counties, which may be due to the cool and wet weather over the past number of weeks.

Store lambs remain a strong trade, with lambs making from €2/kg all the way to €2.45/kg. Light lowland-bred lambs weighing 30kg to 35kg are making €65 to €80/head, or €35 to €45 over. Heavier stores in the 36kg to 40kg bracket were making €80 to €85, or up to €45 over the weight. Short-keep, forward-store lambs weighing 41kg to 44kg are moving at €82 to €88, or €38 to €44 over.

With breeding sales moving on, farmers specialising in trading hoggets are turning their attention to purchasing replacement ewe lambs. Large-framed ewe lambs that have potential to make good breeding ewes are making €110 to €125/head. Lighter, good-quality ewe lambs are making €90 to €105/head. Some managers report that lambs with a full set of EID tags are receiving more interest from buyers who do not want to tag lambs again after purchase. The good ewe lamb trade is helping to keep a floor on the price agents can pay for factory fit lambs.

In the breeding ewe sales, good-quality hoggets are trading at €175 to €190/head, with exceptional lots exceeding the €200/head mark. Some average-quality lots are selling back to €150/head. Top-quality two-and-a-half-year-old ewes are making €170 to €180/head, while more average lots are trading at €145 to €160/head.