The Donegal Mule Group recorded a positive third annual sale at last Friday’s sale in Ballybofey and Stranorlar Mart. There was an entry of about 1,100 ewe lambs and 400 hoggets, with a swift trade reported, with all but four lots selling in a two-and-a-half-hour period.

There was a good demand from local buyers, with the trade helped by competition from outside the county. About 400 head moved to farms south of the M4 between Galway and Dublin.

Hoggets recorded a 100% clearance rate, with prices similar to last year’s level. The average price was €159. Good-quality hoggets sold from €150 to €180, with a small number exceeding this range and selling to a top of €220.

Likewise, a small number of light pens sold back to €130 to €140.

Ewe lambs also achieved a similar average price to last year, with an average price of €98 and a clearance rate of 96%.

Group member Kieran McGrath reports that within this range there was a sharper trade for stronger and better-quality types, while lighter and plainer-quality types were a slightly more challenging trade.

The general run of prices for a high percentage of hoggets ranged from €85 to €105.

The first-prizewinners and three other super-quality pens achieved a similar top price of €155, while there were a handful of pens recording prices between €120 and €150.

There were buyers present for light types suitable for carrying dry over the winter, with the lightest lambs on offer selling from €65 to €70 upwards.