Heavy butchers lambs over 50kg are selling from €106 to €116, up slightly on last week.

Factory lamb from 45kg to 50kg are selling mainly from €95 to €104/head, with the majority selling from €100 to €102/head.

Those from 40kg to 45kg are seeing prices range mainly from €87 to €92/head, with prices rising to over €95/head for top-quality lambs in some areas.

The store lamb trade remains strong, with grass buyers active right across the country. Lambs from 30kg to 35kg are selling mainly from €70 to €78/head, while those from 35kg to 40kg are selling mainly from €79 to €86/head.

Cast ewes continue to be in demand, with farmers sourcing for grass. Prices are running from €60 to €80/head for thin and old types, while better-quality culls carrying flesh are selling from €80 to €105, with some choice lots making north of €118/head.

Breeding sales

More breeding sales have taken place again in the past week.

Good-quality hoggets continue to sell from €160 to €190, with some top-quality types making up to €200/head.

Ewe lambs are solid, with plenty of buyers sourcing good-quality lambs with breeding potential.

Prices in the main are running from €5 to €10 of a premium on top of store and factory lamb prices, to a premium of €20 to €30 in special sales, with a premium of up to €40/head paid at some special breeding sales for choice ewe lambs.