Last week’s sheep sale at Manorhamilton Mart saw a large entry of over 1,200 sheep on offer. Mart manager Ivan Moffitt said that while prices were steady last week, lower factory prices could have an effect on average prices this week.

He said that the majority of spring lambs were a steady trade, selling mainly from €130 to €150/head, with plenty of factory demand for them. Heavier butchers hoggets sold up to €145 to €155/head.

There was a good entry of ewes with lambs at foot on offer also. At the top of the market, young ewes with twins at foot sold to a top price of €250 per lot for a top-quality Suffolk ewe.

The main demand saw prices of ewes with lambs at foot selling from €150 to €180/head, with older ewes with singles making the lesser money, while younger types with doubles were met with more demand.

Ivan said that fleshed ewes were a strong and steady trade, providing they were well-fleshed. Prices of these ranged mainly from €120 to €140/head, with lesser-quality types carrying good levels of flesh making from €90 to €110/head.

Plain and thin mountain cull hoggets sold mainly from €40 to €50/head.

Commission rates are €1 to the buyer and €1.30 to the seller, depending on the number sold/bought.