The standout trade in Clogher Mart’s sheep sale on Thursday was the continued vibrant trade for cull ewes.

Over 40% of lots sold in excess of £200 (€233) per head, with prices for top-end ewes weighing upwards of approximately 90kg rising to £230 to £260 (€267 to €300).

Medium-weight Mule and crossbred ewes sold from £170 to £200 (€198 to €233), while the bottom 30% of lots including Scottish Blackface ewes and light ewes lacking significant flesh cover sold from £100 to £160 (€116 to €186). The trade was underpinned by agents purchasing sheep which will likely be exported live to Britain.

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The recent pressure on factory lamb quotes was reflected in the ring but prices held better than expected and trended ahead of equivalent deadweight prices. Heavier lambs were in tight supply.

Lambs in Northern Ireland are sold on a half-weight basis and those weighing from 23.5kg to 25.5kg (47kg to 51kg) ranged from £175 to £198 (€203 to €230) with export buyers interested in heavier lots.

Lambs weighing 22.2kg to 22.9kg sold from £150 to £166 (€174 to €193), while lighter lots weighing 20.5kg to 21.8kg sold from £135 to £150 (€160 to €174). Lambs weighing 18kg to 19.8kg ranged from £122 to £134 (€141 to €155).

In pictures

This top-quality Texel-cross cull ewe sold for £248 (€288).

This pair of Mule cull ewes sold for £152 (€176).

These mixed breed lambs weighing 23.2kg half-weight (46.4kg) sold for £167 (€194 or €4.18/kg).

These Texel lambs weighing 20kg half-weight (40kg) sold for £149 (€173 or €4.33/kg).

This batch of lighter lambs weighing 18.8kg half-weight (37.6kg) sold for £135 (€156 or €4.15/kg).

This pair of quality Charollais lambs weighing 21.5kg half-weight (43kg) sold for £158 (€4.26/kg).

This mixed breed pen of lambs weighing 20.2kg half-weight (40.4kg) sold for £133 (€154 (€3.81/kg).

These recently weaned Suffolk-cross cull ewes sold for £184 (€213).

Weighing an average of 22.7kg half-weight (45.4kg), these Charollais-cross lambs sold for £160 (€185 or €4.08/kg).

This single Texel cull ewe sold for £218 (€253).

A pair of black-fleeced ewe hoggets and twin Dutch Spotted lambs at foot sold for £280 (€325).

This batch of 19 lambs weighing 21.8kg half-weight (43.6kg) sold for £150 (€174 or €3.99/kg).

These three good-quality Suffolk hoggets and their three lambs sold for £305 per unit (€353).

This black-fleeced hogget and her Dutch Spotted-cross lamb at foot sold for £300 (€348).

This Texel-cross hogget and her Charollais-cross lamb at foot sold for £315 (€365).

This batch of three crossbred hoggets and three good Charollais-cross lambs at foot were bid to £255 (€295) but not sold.

Weighing 22.5kg half-weight (45kg), this pair of Charollais-cross lambs sold for £168 (€195 or €4.33/kg).

This well-fleshed Mule ewe sold for £216 (€250).