The sale was the largest held to date, despite the fact that the sale entry criteria was set at its highest level ever.

Sheep Ireland also had its largest attendance of commercial farmers to date, with buyers from 21 counties taking rams home at the end of the day.

Some 215 animals were catalogued with only 10 of these not being presented for sale.

Of the 205 entries that did make it though the ring, 175 of these lots found new homes, giving the sale an overall clearance rate of 85%, just 2% behind last years clearance of 87%.

The average price paid across all breeds was €525, €13/head back on last year. Each purchaser at the sale bought 1.86 rams on average and a lot of these also bought rams from more than one breed.

Belclares

Belclares were the first though the ring, and with only 17 lots entered in the catalogue demand was high. The clearance rate was 94%. A Laurence Barrett bred Belclare hogget took the highest price of the sale at €980. The average price paid for Belclares on the day was €622, with the lowest price being €350.

Texels

Texels were the second through the ring. They had 67 lots catalogued and had a clearance rate of 89%. An Anne Murphy bred ram lamb sired by Oberstown Tuff, was the top priced Texel selling for €880. The average price for paid for Texels was €470 with the lowest price being €250.

Suffolks

Suffolks were next up. They had 42 lots catalogued and had a clearance of 90% for the breed. An Eamon Duffy bred ram lamb sired by Deburca Lewis took the top Suffolk price on the day at €840. The average price paid for Suffolks on the day was €532, with the lowest price being €400.

Rouge de L’Ouest

Rouge de L’Ouest had four entries in the sale with 100% clearance for the breed. An Anne Murphy bred ram lamb took the top Rouge de L’Ouest price on the day at €600. The average price paid was €463 with the lowest price paid being €350.

Vendeen

Vendeen were the fifth breed to go through the sale with nine lots catalogued, again with a 100% clearance rate. An Anthony and Oisin Gannon bred ram lamb sired by Ballivor Norway took the top Vendeen price on the day at €620. The average price paid was €487 with the lowest price paid being €360.

Charollais

Charollais were the sixth and final breed to go through the ring. They had the largest presence at the sale with 73 catalogued lots and a final clearance rate of 75%. A Jim and Frampton Jeffery bred ram lamb sired by Carriganeela Cracker took the top Charollais price on the day at €920. The average price paid was €564 with the lowest price paid being €320.

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