Factory agents remain active with factory lambs weighing 44kg to 48kg continuing to sell from €88 to €94 per head and those weighing up to 52kg selling to €97 per head.

The only lambs exceeding €100 per head are where butcher or wholesalers are competing for the same stock with the highest-quality butcher-type lambs selling on average to €105 per head.

The trade for lighter lambs is being helped by keen store lamb purchasing with lowland lambs weighing 36kg to 42kg selling from €2/kg to €2.15/kg. Lighter or crossbred lambs are selling from €1.70 to €1.90/kg with small hill lambs back to €1.50/kg to €1.60/kg.

The trade for breeding sheep remains unchanged with specialised breeding sales continuing to meet strong demand.

The general run in normal weekly sales for good-quality hoggets ranges from €160 to €185 per head, with exceptional-quality lots selling to €200 per head.

Demand in some cases is reported as variable, depending on location and sale entries. Lesser-quality hoggets are selling back to €140 per head, while second- and third-crop ewes continue to sell anywhere from €100 to €150 per head, depending on size and condition.

Slaughter-fit lowland ewes are selling from €80 to €100 per head with live export buyers turning their attention to lambs in recent weeks. Large-framed feeding ewes are selling from €60 to €75 per head, with lighter framed and ewes lacking flesh selling back to €45 per head.