Wednesday’s sheep sale at Cahir Mart saw another reduced entry of sheep on offer, with just 700 in the yard. Mart manager Jonathan O’Sullivan said that numbers have started to dry up quickly this year and the sale numbers were back on the same time last year. He added that while numbers are low, demand has continued to increase and factory agents and butchers are more active again this week.

Heavy butchers’ lambs sold to a top of €124 per head for 53kg, while other good-quality heavy types made from €120 upwards. Jonathan added that factory demand was well increased also, with good-quality 48kg lambs selling to a top of €119/head.

The majority of other fleshed lambs were an improved trade also, with prices up to €3 to €4/head on the same sale last week. Jonathan said that store lambs saw the largest increase in prices week on week, with both farmers and butchers active. Some butchers were opting to buy forward store lambs, with a view of further feeding over the coming weeks.

Stores sold mainly from €73 to €77/head for light lambs and up to €97/head for 37.5kg. Cull ewes were a brisk trade also, with prices ranging mainly from €70 to €100 and up to €127 at the top of the trade.

Commission rates are 1.33% to the seller, with an entry fee of 60c/head, and €1.50 to the buyer.