A slashing of factory prices on Monday morning didn’t quell lamb prices as much as was expected by many sellers, with a positive trade recorded overall for both finished and store-type lambs in Athenry Mart on Monday last.

Over 1,000 spring lambs were on offer, with close to half of these weighing between 45kg and 50kg.

Lambs were evenly batched throughout, with quality lambs available fit to kill out to a high percentage, with these keenly sought after by factory agents present.

A clearance rate of 98% was recorded, with just 20 lambs going unsold on the day.

Store lambs weighing 35kg to 40kg saw an average price paid of €3.68/kg, back 20c/kg on the week previous, with a price range of €3.25/kg to €4.10/kg recorded, with lambs closer to 40kg more keenly sought.

Close to one third of lambs on offer clocked in between 40kg and 45kg, with an average price recorded of €4.08/kg, back 18c/kg on last week, with up to €4.45/kg paid for quality lambs on the upper end of the weight bracket.

Plentiful supply

A plentiful supply of factory-fit lambs between 45kg and 50kg saw an average of €4.19/kg recorded, back 14c/kg on the week prior, significantly less than what would be expected from the cut in factory prices.

A high of €4.48/kg was paid for a pen of 14 weighing 48kg to total €215/head.

Heavy lambs above 50kg averaged €4.06/kg, back just 2c/kg on the week prior. Top call in this section was a pen of lambs weighing 58kg selling for €234/head (€4.03/kg).

In the cull ring, heavy fleshed ewes commanded a premium price, with the general price being paid between €2.25/kg and €2.50/kg for well-fleshed ewes fit for immediate slaughter.

Several lots commanded above this, particularly ewes in the 80kg to 90kg bracket capable of killing out a heavy carcase weight.