The sheep trade has rebounded in recent days, with a number of plants raising quotes by 10c/kg. The steadying in the trade has also been reflected in marts, where agents are increasing activity and competing with butcher buyers.
Many mart managers have commented that lambs presented in uniform batches have attracted the highest level of bidding. This is particularly the case where lambs with a good cover of flesh are on offer, with butcher and wholesale buyers often put off from bidding by a couple of lambs which are poorly finished.
Manager of Enniscorthy Mart Tommy Harrington reported on a solid trade for good-quality fleshed lambs at Wednesday's sale. As can be seen in the photos, good-quality lambs weighing 47kg to 50kg sold from €126 to a top of €131 for top-quality Charollais lambs. Those weighing 43kg to 46kg sold from €118 to €126 on average.
This pen of eight 44kg lambs sold for €122.
This pen of good-quality 48kg lambs sold for €123.
These 43kg Suffolk lambs sold for €118.
These two large-framed cull ewes weighing 100kg sold for €126.
These four lighter Suffolk cross lambs weighing 39kg sold for €89.
This pen of top-quality lambs weighing 48kg sold for €130.
This pen of store lambs weighing 37kg sold for €81.
This batch of 21 top-quality Charollais lambs weighing 47kg sold for €131.
These two well-conformed lowland ewes weighing 90kg sold for €136 each.
These Suffolk lambs weighing 44kg sold for €122.
This Dorset wether weighing 60kg sold for €95.
These mixed-quality cull ewes weighing 68kg on average sold for €90.
These fleshed lambs weighing 46kg sold for €128.
This pen of 10 37kg store lambs sold for €90.
These 49kg lambs with a good cover of flesh sold for €130.
These lighter good-quality store lambs weighing 36kg sold for €85.
There was a differential of €5 to €8 between prices paid for similar weight lambs of varying quality, again reinforcing the value of lamb presentation. The sale also included a higher entry of store lambs and these were met with strong demand from farmers buoyed by the strong grass growth. Lambs weighing 35kg to 39kg sold from €80 to €88 on average, with the best-quality lots topping €90.
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