Last week’s efforts by factory agents to pull lambs prices was shortlived, as supplies of fat lambs have been extremely tight. Mart managers across the country have reported a much smaller offering of lambs for sale over the past seven days.

Indications are that this trend will continue over the next week also. The end result has seen factory agents more eager to source lambs and competition for a limited supply has added a bit of bite to the trade this week.

Prices are holding steady, if not slightly firmer, on last week for heavier lambs around the 50kg mark, as butcher-type lambs are becoming scarce also. Lambs weighing 52kg to 54kg were selling from €103 up to €118 at some marts in the south. Lambs weighing 48kg to 50kg were selling from €94 to €101. Lambs weighing 44kg to 47kg were easier sourced than heavier lambs and selling from €92 to €98.

Fleshed ewes continue to sell around the €90 to €105 mark, with quality being reflected in price. Feeding ewes start from €70. Store lambs weighing 37kg to 39kg are selling for €40 to €45 over, but an improved trade for lambs weighing 34kg to 36kg has seen prices of €35 to €47 over weight. Numbers of breeding sheep are starting to fall, which is helping price. Breeding hoggets are selling from €140 to €195. Tighter numbers has helped to give plainer hoggets a bit of a lift in some marts. Ewe lambs are holding their own, selling from €120 to €145 while breeding ewes are selling from €130 to €180.

– Kieran Mailey