Carnew Mart recorded a slighter smaller entry of 1,285 sheep in last Thursday’s sale. Manager David Quinn said there was greater bite for all slaughter-fit stock and this, combined with a tightening in supplies, led to prices increasing by €2 to €3 per head.

Fleshed lambs weighing 41kg to 44kg sold from €133 to €142, with a few heavier lots to €150, while lighter lambs weighing 35kg to 39kg sold from €112 to €131.

Hoggets remain in demand, but David said quality is becoming increasingly variable, with more tail-end lots appearing. Heavy hoggets weighing in excess of 50kg sold from €138 to €150 on average, with a few lots breaking the €150 mark and selling to a top of €157. Hoggets weighing 45kg to 49kg sold from €122 to €150, while lighter lots weighing 40kg to 44kg sold from €108 to €125. Some lighter mixed-quality lots sold from €80 to €105.

David says heavy cull ewes were a super trade, with heavy ewes selling from €115 to €130, with a few lots rising to a top of €144. Lighter-framed but fleshed ewes sold from €85 to €110, with small numbers with a very poor cover of flesh selling from €42 to €75.

Age and quality influenced returns for ewes with lambs at foot. Twin lamb lots sold from €180 to €236, with single-lamb lots from €110 to €180.