Raphoe Mart manager Ann Harkin reports that the sheep trade has recorded improvement in each of the last three sales.

This is despite a larger offering of 1,000 sheep on offer last Monday, the majority of which were slaughter-fit lambs. Heavy lambs weighing 50kg to 60kg were reported as selling from €120 to €129. Lambs weighing 46kg to 49kg sold on average from €110 to €120, with a selection of top-quality lots selling to €123.

Ann said there was a noticeable increase in demand for store lambs. Lowland lambs weighing 41kg to 44kg sold from €100 to €110.

There was a wider differential for lambs weighing 37kg to 40kg, which sold from €90 to €105 with fleshed lowland lambs at the higher end of the price range, while light stores weighing 33kg to 37kg sold on average from €80 to €95.

Fat ewes sold from €70 to €130, with some ewes lacking flesh and Scotch types back to €60.

Monday’s sale had the first significant entry of ewes with lambs at foot.

Demand is being helped by positive grass supplies, with single lamb lots selling from €140 to €180, while twin lamb units sold from €180 for aged ewes or light lambs to a top of €250 to €270 for good ewes and stronger lambs.

A selection of in-lamb ewes sold from €120 to €165.