Tuesday evening’s sale at Tuam Mart saw another good trade for sheep. Th Mart manager Marian Devane said that there were about 600 lambs and 100 ewes on offer at the sale, with good demand all round. One feature was that the number of store lambs on offer was well reduced on previous weeks.

In terms of butchers’ lambs, prices were up a few euros on last week, with those from 50kg to 53kg selling mainly from €110 to €112/head. Some heavy butchers’ lambs sold back to €109, with top prices at €113/head.

The number of store lambs on offer was very low despite there being continued strong demand, with buyers present having travelled good distances to source stores. Those around 35kg sold for close to €80/head. Factory lambs continue to be a good trade, with plenty of buyers active for all well-fleshed types. Lambs from 45kg to 48kg are selling mainly from €95 to €100/head. Under-fleshed lambs in the same weight range are selling mainly from €87 to €92/head.

The trade for cull ewes was quite good, with prices topping out at €110/head, while the main supply of good-quality types sold from €85 to €95, with plainer fleshed ewes making from €78 upwards. Commission rates are €1 to the buyer and 1.5% to the seller.