On Saturday, the Mayo Mountain Blackface Sheep Breeders held its 16th annual sale in Aurivo Mart, Ballinrobe, with over 100 ewe lambs, 800 hoggets and 300 aged ewes on offer.

There was a strong trade throughout the sale, with prices for top-quality hoggets breaking the €200 mark on several occasions.

Well-presented, strong hoggets with good heads were making from €160 to €185 in the main, with the top third of hoggets making between €190 and €220.

Lesser-quality types were still trading at between €130 and €140 in the main.

A full report from the sale will be available in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.

In pictures

This pen of nine hoggets sold for €260/head.

This pen of 10 hoggets sold for €145/head.

This pen of 10 hoggets sold for €160/head.

This pen of 10 hoggets sold for €160/head.

This pen of 10 hoggets sold for €195/head.

This pen of 10 hoggets sold for €135/head.

This pen of 10 third-prizewinning hoggets sold for €205/head.