Mart managers are all reporting a similar trend of heavier fleshed lambs being in tight supply and factory agents and butcher or wholesale buyers keener for slaughter-fit sheep.

The general run of prices for factory lambs weighing 49kg to 52kg upwards in marts is from €200 to €210.

Select lots of excellent-quality and heavier lambs have firmed in price and are rising to €220 and as high as €230-plus in isolated cases where wholesale and butcher buyers lock horns.

Kilkenny Mart auctioneer George Candler summed up the trade in marts experiencing lower throughput when he said after last Monday’s sale: “It’s not often said in a sheep sale, but today we ran out of sheep before all customers were able to fill their requirements.”

Factory buyers are dropping down in the weight range to compensate for lower numbers of fleshed lambs and are purchasing lambs as light as 42kg to 44kg with a good cover of flesh. Prices for such lambs are topping €4/kg for quality lots and rising to a top of €4.20/kg.

Firm demand from store lamb producers is helping competition at lighter weights.

The general trade for lighter lowland store lambs weighing from 34kg to 37kg is €3.70/kg to €4/kg, with the best-quality lots rising above €4/kg and as high as €4.20/kg to €4.30/kg.

Many mart managers believe they will not see the normal flush of lambs coming on to the market from late July onwards.

The ewe trade is also solid, with factory agents showing firm interest. Prices remain unchanged at €2.30/kg to €2.55/kg for the lion’s share of heavier lowland ewes.

Select lots remain capable of rising to €2.60/kg to €2.80/kg, but in small numbers. There are very few lowland ewes falling below €2/kg, with heavier Scottish Blackface ewes topping this mark.

Light fleshed Scottish Blackface ewes range anywhere from €1.60/kg to €2/kg and back to €1/kg for lots with a poor cover of flesh.

Hogget numbers are slowly climbing, but remain small. The best-quality lots are topping €300 for heavier large-framed hoggets, with light but nice-quality types selling from €250 to €295 per head.