A keen demand was seen for all lots in Ballinrobe mart on Thursday 6 August, with 131 lots sold with only three lots unsold on the day.

Trade remained strongest for lambs weighing 40kg-50kg, returning the highest average price per kilo at €3.55/kg and producing the top price of €191 per head.

The largest entry was in the 30kg-40kg category, with 63 lots sold. These lambs averaged €123.54/head and €3.47/kg, with a price range of €2.42-€4.38/kg seen, with price per head ranging from €74-€152.

Heavy lambs over 50kg averaged €156.50/head (€2.86/kg), with a top call of €178/head.

Price per kilo for this weight bracket ranged from €2.33-€3.39/kg, while lighter lambs under 30kg averaged €80.81/head and peaked at €117/head.

Lambs sold from €46 to €191 per head, while price per kilo ranged from €2.09/kg to €4.72/kg.

Ewe lambs with breeding potential commanded some of the highest prices per kilo, with lambs suitable to tip this year or to run on as dry hoggets.

The mart is set to gear up for the first of the Mayo Mule sales, taking place on on 21 and 22 of August

In the culls, the top price of the day was €250/head for a 90kg cull sheep, while several lots exceeded the €200 mark, with the mart noting strong interest in well-finished sheep.