Tuesday’s sheep sale at Mayo-Sligo Co-op Mart, Ballina, saw an increased entry of 700 sheep on offer. Mart manager Billy Loftus said that while the trade was back a little on the previous week, well-fleshed lambs were by far the firmest trade.

The largest increase in numbers came from store lambs, which are tending to come out a little earlier this year. Sheep numbers are expected to jump in July.

With many parts of the country experiencing drought conditions, this is having an effect on store lambs demand. Heavy lambs over 50kg were met with good demand and sold from €115 to €121, while factory lambs carrying a good level of flesh from 47kg to 50kg sold mainly from €110 to €115/head. Those from 44kg to 48kg sold mainly from €94 to €111/head.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lighter lambs from 42kg to 44kg were more abundant and sold mainly from €94 to €105 for well-fleshed types and back to €90/head for those carrying less flesh. Stores from 35kg to 40kg sold mainly from €70 to €86, with the majority making from €80 to €86. Light stores from 30kg to 35kg sold mainly from €70 to €80 per head, with mountain-crosses selling from €63 upwards.

At the top of the trade, a pen of eight heavy cull ewes sold for €131/head, while other well-fleshed types made from €108 to €119/head. Feeding ewes sold from €70 to €90/head.