The volume of store lambs trading in marts has increased significantly in the last week.

A similar increase in farmer demand, boosted by strong grass supplies, is ensuring prices remain solid.

Short-keep lowland ewe and wether lambs weighing 36kg to 40kg+ are attracting the most attention, selling anywhere from €2.20 to €2.40/kg or from €80 to €90 per head.

Ewe lambs with breeding potential are attracting a €5 to €8 price premium, with heavier ewe lambs suitable for breeding selling for €5 to €15 above factory prices. Light store lambs, hill lambs and crossbred lambs are selling from €2/kg to €2.20/kg.

Factory lamb prices remain similar with the majority of lambs weighing from 45kg to 50kg selling from €94 to €100 per head.

Buyers are reluctant to pass €100 per head, with small volumes of butcher or wholesale lambs selling from €100 to €105 per head.

Entries of breeding ewes and hoggets remain low with demand exceeding supply. Good-quality hoggets are selling from €160 to €180 per head, with second- and third-crop lowland ewes selling from €100 to €130 per head.

The cull ewe trade is also being boosted by farmers active for feeding ewes and also live export demand for heavy, well-fleshed ewes.

Large-framed ewes are selling from €90 to €115 per head. Smaller and fleshed light-carcase ewes are selling from €75 to €90 per head.

Freshly weaned ewes are selling from €45 to €75 per head.