Monday’s sheep sale at Carrigallen Mart saw a slightly increased number on offer. Despite recent factory price pulls, the trade at the mart was still quite good, although the main supply of lambs is running slightly behind other years.

Butchers’ lambs were only available in small numbers and prices for those over 50kg ranged mainly from €100 to €110/head. Factory lambs were more plentiful and those from 46kg to 50kg sold mainly from €97 to €102/head.

The amount of flesh on lambs is having a significant impact on the prices paid in the past few weeks and while prices have slipped considerably from the highs, it has been evident that those lambs carrying better levels of flesh are being rewarded in terms of prices.

Factory lambs from 45kg to 47kg sold mainly from €94 to €97/head.

There was a good entry of stores on offer and demand was good for forward stores, but lighter stores were met with some price pressure. Those from 40kg to 42kg sold mainly from €82 to €87/head, while those from 38kg to 40kg sold mainly from €78 to €86/head, depending on the quality and level of flesh on them. Lighter lambs from 35kg to 38kg sold from €70 to €78/head depending on quality.

Cull ewes were a good trade for heavy types, with the majority of well-fleshed ewes making from €90 to €115.