Although wholesale buyers were not present, agents for factories were pen-side in Ballina Mart on Tuesday last and were eager for numbers.
While the majority of lambs on offer were store types below 45kg, lots weighing 48kg and above were keenly sought after by agents present.
Heavy well-fleshed lambs weighing 48kg to 53kg sold from €170 to €192 in the main, with a premium seen for lambs with no hill genetics carrying ample flesh, while several lots of ewe lambs also commanded a premium.
Forward store types weighing 43kg to 47kg sold to a similar price per kilo to heavy lambs, with the majority of stores selling between €3.40/kg to €3.72/kg, again with a premium seen for ewe lambs.
On a price-per-head basis, these types sold between €146/head up to €172/head.
Lighter store lambs below 42kg were variable in price, with longer-type stores below 35kg a stickier trade at times.
Lowland type lambs with scope to finish quickly sold from €3.45/kg up to €3.85/kg.
Lighter lots or those with more hill genetics sold from €3.03/kg up to €3.40/kg.
In the cull ewe ring, highs of €225/head were paid for top-end ewes with ample flesh, with feeding type ewes selling between €2/kg and €2.20/kg in the main.
