Throughput of store lambs has taken a significant jump in marts in recent weeks.

The best demand is for lambs that are evenly matched on weight, size and type.

Trying to disguise a couple of lighter or plainer-quality lambs into a group is something which is often done, but this can turn some potential buyers off or knock a few euro off the potential sale value.

Where there are ewe lambs with breeding potential, it is worth segregating these, while applying EID tag sets on these animals is also a benefit in attracting more attention. The same can also be said of cull ewes, with firm demand for both feeding and fleshed ewes.

Applying fertiliser

While ground conditions are tricky in some areas, applying fertiliser in mid-August will deliver a much greater response than delaying until early September when growth rates are already declining at a faster rate.

Highly stocked farms (10-plus ewes/ha) are applying 20 to 25 units after grazing, while lower-stocked farms are applying 10 to 15 units to keep grass growth rates ticking along.

At this stage of the year, it is important to take soil fertility levels into account and target compound fertilisers or slurry/farmyard manure to areas that will benefit most.

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