Mayo-Sligo Mart’s general sheep sale on Tuesday saw keen demand from factory agents who competed heavily for quality, well fleshed lots of both hoggets and spring lambs, wiht a total of 300 sheep on offer.

While numbers of both were relatively low, agents were anxious not to let any lots go home unsold.

Spring lambs that weighed between 45-51kg were hotly contested for, selling between €200-€225/head in the main with all lambs presented having ample flesh and the ability to kill out well, with price being primarily dictated by weight.

Lighter type spring stores between 40-44kg sold in the main from €185-€200/head, with some quality types exceeding this price, while a small selection of store lambs below 40kg were sold in excess of €4.40/kg.

Hogget numbers had dwindled, with some lighter and poorer quality types as well as well fleshed quality lots available.

Lighter types weighing 43-46kg sold in the main between €150-€176/head, with fleshing dictating the price difference.

Heavier type hoggets that were fit for immediate slaughter sold in the main between €185-€199/head, again with fleshing and kill out a major factor in price.