Lamb prices in the marts were given another significant boost this week, especially in the west. Factory quotes in the marts have lifted again and mart prices have followed suit.

Agents are extremely keen for lambs now, with the majority of factory-fit lambs making over €100/head. Most factory lambs weighing 48kg to 50kg are making €102/head to €110/head, or €54 to €60 over the weight.

Some mart sales in the west saw well-fleshed lambs weighing 51kg making up to €115/head. Selections of butcher or wholesaler-suitable lambs weighing 50kg+ are making €110/head to €116/head.

The stronger factory lamb trade has impacted positively on the store lamb prices, with demand from farmers increasing in the marts. Forward store lambs weighing 38kg to 42kg making €88/head to €95/head. Lighter store lambs weighing 30kg to 35kg are making €70/head to €85/head.

Good-quality ewe lambs continue to fetch a price premium of €10 to €15/head.

Cull ewe prices have held strong, bolstered by stronger lamb prices. Hill-bred feeding ewes are selling for €50/head to €65/head and lighter Scotch-bred ewes are moving at €35/head to €40/head.

The number of fleshed cull ewes entering sales is small. Fleshed, heavy-carcase ewes are making €108/head to €115/head, while top prices for cull ewes paid in marts this week reached €124/head.

Lowland-bred feeding ewes are making €75/head to €90/head, with lighter-framed ewes are selling back to €65/head.

Peter Varley