The past few week has seen a slow and steady improvement in prices, with stores and fleshed lambs gaining €1 to €2/head per week.

Lambs over 50kg are selling mainly from €102 to €107/head for good-quality types, with heavy lambs carrying a little less flesh making from €98 to €103/head – up a euro or two on last week.

Factory agents are more active at marts and farmers are reaping the rewards, with prices edging up by about €2/head as a result.

Lambs from 45kg to 48kg are selling mainly from €96 to €100/head at the upper end of the market and are averaging at about €96/head, up by about €1 to €2/head on last week, which is a similar increase to the week before. Under-fleshed lambs in the same weight range are selling mainly from €86 to €92/head.

Store lambs

Store lamb demand has improved slightly also, but this is mainly due to less light mountain types on offer. Those from 37kg to 42kg are selling mainly from €78 to €83/head, which is similar to last week.

Lighter types from 34kg to 37kg have seen the trade hold steady also. Prices for these are ranging mainly from €72 to €78/head, with good-quality mountain types in the same weight range making from €45 to €60/head.

Cull ewes

Cull ewes remain a fairly steady trade, with prices ranging mainly from €60 to €75/head for average-quality and light types, with better-quality and heavy types making tops of €80 to €100.

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