Throughput in marts held at the end of last week and over the weekend were limited by storm conditions. Mountbellew Mart's sheep sale on saturday morning was testament to this.

The usual entry of lambs was halved with Friday's storm putting many sellers off drafting sheep.

The trade was also aided by a rising factory trade with factory agents more active to source lambs. As can be seen from the photos, good quality, fleshed hoggets weighing 47kg upwards commanded a price premium selling to €62 over. Average quality lots sold from €53 to €58 over with lots lacking flesh selling back to €48 over. Store lambs sold from €2/kg to €2.25/kg with the best demand for short keep lot.

An entry of second and third crop ewes scanned carrying twins and lambing at the end of the month sold for €140 per head while an entry of two year old hogget ewes, comprising a mixture of twin and single bearing ewes, sold for €145 per head.

The cull ewe trade was on a similar level to previous weeks. Good quality fleshed ewes sold from €75 to €85 per head with a selection of large framed and exceptionally well fleshed ewes selling to €95 per head. Light carcase ewes with a good cover of flesh sold from €65 to €75. Ewes lacking flesh sold from €40 to €60 per head.