Entries of suitably finished lambs have tightened significantly in the last week. Mart managers also report a wide differential in the quality of lambs on offer, with a significant percentage of ewe lambs in particular lacking suitable flesh cover. This is leading to a wide differential in prices paid.

Upturn

The trade in the last two days has been helped by the upturn in factory prices, with agents competing stronger.

At the higher end of the market, fleshed lambs weighing 48kg to 54kg have been selling anywhere from €125 to €134/head, with similar weight lambs lacking flesh selling €8 to €12 lower.

Lighter lots weighing 43kg to 46kg are trading from €108 to €115/head, with wide differential also present.

Lambs weighing 40kg to 43kg are trading from €50 to €55 over for fleshed hill or crossbred lambs to €60 to €65 over for short-keep, good-quality lowland stores.

Cull ewes

The cull ewe trade has also strengthened. Slaughter-fit ewes are trading from €90 to €120, with large-framed, heavy-carcase ewes (40kg+) selling in cases from €120 to €140/head.

Lighter ewes with an average cover of flesh are trading from €75 to €90, with only hill ewes or ewes very short of flesh below this.

Demand for ewes with lambs at foot is firm, with prices very much impacted by quality.

Twin lamb lots are trading anywhere from €150 for aged ewes, with poor-quality lambs to over €250 for young ewes with good quality lambs. Single lamb lots are selling from €130 to €200 per outfit. In-lamb ewes are trading from €120 to €180/head on average.