Today's sale at Maam Cross mart saw the annual lamb show and sale for Mule ewes and ewe lambs take place.

There was a packed yard of over 1,200 sheep on offer at the sale with farmers from.

Mairead Bourke of Maam Cross Mart said that the trade was good for strong ewe lambs.

This pen of Mule cross ewe lambs sold for €181 each.

At the top of the trade some strong ewe lambs sold €180/head, with the better-quality ewe lambs selling from €140 to €150/head.

She said that there were plenty of buyers active for these heavier ewe lambs. The average price paid was down a bit on last year, as the ewe lambs were a little lighter than last year on account of the weather in the spring.

This pen of Mule cross ewe lambs sold for €140 each.

Last year, the ewe lambs averaged €108/head, up from €95/head in 2016. The majority of good-quality hogget ewes sold from €135 to €160/head.

Average-quality Mule cross ewe lambs ranged mainly from €90 to €120/head. However, some of the lighter ewe lambs and plainer hoggets did not reach the prices sellers were expecting and some went unsold.

This pen of light Mule cross ewe lambs sold for €88 each.

There was a good entry of light mountain store lambs on offer also. Prices ranged mainly from €30 to €55, with some light ewe lambs making from €60 to €65, with quality and weight being the main parameters determining price. Commission rates are €1 to the buyer and 1.95% to the seller.