The main talking point around the ringsides is the strong store lambs trade, driven by good grass supplies and more uncertainty in the beef trade.

Heavy butchers’ lambs over 50kg are selling mainly from €101 to €104 at the top of the market, back about €3 to €4 on last week.

The numbers of factory lamb on offer are high, with good steady supplies moving direct to factories. The good weather is a factor helping the steady flow, with no gluts of lambs reported so far.

Factory lambs from 45kg to 50kg are selling mainly from €95 to €100, with the vast majority of slaughter-fit lambs selling for around €98/head mark. This equates to a drop of about €2 to €3/head on last week.

Those lambs from 42kg to 44kg were a slight bit easier also, with increased factory price pressure the main cause of the drop. Prices are ranging mainly from €88 to €95/head. However, there are some plainer under-fleshed types making under €88/head in some areas.

Demand for store lambs is strong, with plenty of farmer buyer activity at most ringsides. Considering that factory lamb prices are under pressure, the strong store trade is placing a firm floor under lamb prices.

The average 40kg store is selling mainly from €82 to €92/head, with some mart managers reporting slightly higher prices than €92 at the upper end of the trade.

Lighter store lambs from 35kg to 37kg are selling mainly from €77 to €84/head, depending on quality.

There are lighter types from 30kg to 35kg coming out and selling mainly from €70/head to €73/head.

Mountain store lambs and horned types are selling mainly from €50 to €65 and up to €75/head at some sales.

Cull ewes are a firm trade also, with the majority of fleshed ewes making from €110 to €124.

The majority of cull ewes are selling from €98 to €110, with plain-quality feeding ewes and broken-mouth ewes selling from €60 to €80/head.

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