There were buyers from all over the country in attendance at Leinster Marts in Borris, Co Carlow, on Saturday, where 700 ewe lambs, 1,300 hogget ewe lambs and several pens of two- and three-year-old ewes went under the hammer.
The sale was very strong and saw a 98% a clearance rate, driven by farmer demand.
Speaking after the sale, mart manager Jimmy Walsh said: “Saturday’s sale brought brightness in a time of gloom.
“It was a wonderful day and wonderful sale. It is great to see the uplift and the confidence that has emerged in sheep farming.
“We thought we were taking a bit of a risk moving the sale to a Saturday, but the breeders insisted that we give it a chance.
“I can safely say that it has been 100% a success, with a huge attendance of people, especially people from all over the country.
“There was no dominant buyer of the sale. Customers were buying two or three pens of ewes. This has been one of the happiest days of the year so far.”
Ewe lambs were a good trade, but the strongest demand was for stronger hoggets.
Ewe lambs weighing between 42kg and 46kg sold mainly from €130 to €155/head.
Lambs between 38kg and 42kg were not as strong and farmer buyers paid from €95 to €120/head for these. The lighter lambs sold mainly from €100/head down to €95/head.
Hoggets were a very good trade and saw a full clearance. Sellers were very happy with the prices.
About 30% of those on offer sold from €210 and €250/head. Another 30% made €190 to €210/ head.
The balance of the hoggets were still a good trade and sold from €165 to €185/head. There was a share of two- and three-year-old ewes on offer also, which made between €170 and €230/head.
Prize hoggets – 1st Thomas McCarthy; 2nd Jim Kavanagh; 3rd Padraig Doyle; 4th Martin Hayden; 5th Remmi Dalton.
Prize two- and three-year-old ewes: 1st Martin Doyle; 2nd Thomas McCarthy.
Prize ewe lambs: 1st Thomas Carthy; 2nd Jim Lennon; 3rd Sean Ryan; 4th Padraig Joyce; 5th Paul Stacey.
Commission rates are €1.85 to €2.00 to the buyer and 1.75% to the seller.