Camera at the Mart: good clearance at Macroom breeding sale

Macroom Mart rounded out its sheep breeding sales for the year on Thursday evening last, with a 97% clearance of rams.

Top price of €820 was paid for a Charolais ram lamb, with others making over €600.

Most of the hogget and ewe lambs across all breeds sold for between €200 and €300, with a small share selling either side of this price bracket.

The Co Cork mart held four evening sales of breeding sheep this autumn and manager Jerh O’Sullivan was happy with how things went.

“We’ve had very good sales, with 530 rams and over 1,200 ewes sold, with a top price of €1,550 for a Texel ram and 11 rams making over €1,100.

“The evening sales are working well. It suits part-time farmers or those at college.

“We’re seeing the parents and grandparents at the weekly trade and the younger generation at the breeding sale. It’s good to see there’s a bit of confidence in the sector.

“Trade was good this week. The ewe price has been good. For the ewe lambs, they’re making €100-plus with their weight on a Wednesday here and there’s another €20 to €25 to be got over that at the breeding sale.

“The quality of hoggets probably wasn’t what it was for previous sales but the good ones were still €300, with €230 to €250 the general run.”