Last Thursday’s sheep sale at Loughrea Mart saw a large entry of sheep on offer. Mart manager Jimmy Cooney said that the trade was quite good, considering the current difficulties in getting lambs slaughtered. He added that factory agents were still very active, with butchers actively sourcing also. The best demand at the sale was for hogget ewes and breeding ewes. Hogget ewes sold for up to €190/head at the top of the market, with plenty of good-quality types making from €175 to €180/head. He added that there was strong demand for breeding ewes also, with second- and third-crop ewes selling for around the €140/head mark.

In terms of the lamb trade, Jimmy said that heavy butchers’ lambs around 50kg were selling for around the €100/head mark, with most making about twice the weight. Demand for factory lambs was steady, with agents still active despite blockades. Jimmy said that they have been lucky, as not all factories have been shut down. Prices of factory lambs from 43kg to 44kg ranged mainly from €96 to €97/head, with lighter lambs around the 40kg mark making from €84 to €90/head. He said that with it being a good grass growing year and with lambs thriving well, the numbers of lighter store lambs on offer have been low.

Commission rates are €1/head to the buyer and a percentage to the seller.