The cull ewe trade continues to grab all the headlines in some mart sales.

A high percentage of fleshed lowland ewes are breaching the €100 mark while heavy large-framed ewes are selling in the main from €110 to €130, with select lots of excellent-quality lambs reported as selling to as high as €140 in recent days.

Prices are also being helped by the better grazing season leading to ewes being presented in better condition. Positive grass supplies and higher demand for store lambs is also adding more life to the trade for feeding ewes, with lowland ewes selling from €70 to €90 on average.

Steadying

Many mart managers report a steadying in the factory lamb trade this week. Lambs weighing 44kg to 47kg are selling from €92 to €97 on average, with a €2 to €3 swing either side depending on quality.

Heavier lots weighing upwards of 50kg are selling from €99 to €106, with a few lots of exceptional lots rising to €110 in some sales where butcher and wholesale interest is strong.

Store lambs numbers have jumped significantly, but so too has demand. There is some price variation reported between sales. Lambs weighing 37kg to 41kg are selling from €2.05/kg to as high as €2.20/kg for lowland lots while scotch lots are selling upwards of €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg.

Lots weighing from 33kg to 35kg are trading from €70 to €78 on average, with some lots reaching €80 in places. Ewe lambs with breeding potential and presented well are commanding a premium price.

Demand for breeding sheep is starting earlier, with grass supplies and cull ewe prices adding more bite. Hoggets are trading from €150 to €160 for lighter lots and rising to €175 to €180 for nice-quality types and€180 to €190 for some excellent types. Cull ewes have inserted a floor under first and second crop ewes with prices ranging from €120 to €140 and higher in cases.