The mood remains relatively positive around the rings for quality finished lambs, but wetter weather has flushed out some poorly finished lambs this week, which mart managers are noting is a major influence on price.

Good-quality, well-finished lambs weighing from 49kg to 53kg are selling close to €170/head in many sales, with prices starting at €165 for some plainer-quality types and rising to €175 where interest is present from butcher or wholesale buyers.

However, some marts also recorded up to €194/head being paid for top-end heavy lambs of this weight by factory agents.

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Even well-marked ewe lambs with breeding potential are crossing the €180/head barrier, with demand most popular for heavier lots capable of going to the ram this year.

Prices for lighter factory lambs weighing 45kg to 48kg are anywhere from the low-€150s for poorly fleshed lots or those with hill genetics to upwards of €165 for top-quality lots with good slaughter potential.

The store lamb trade is steady, with a high percentage of lambs weighing from 35kg to 44kg trading from €3.50/kg to €3.80/kg, with lambs with some hill genetics seeing 10c to 20c/kg back on this price.

Select lots, including ewe lambs with breeding potential as hoggets, are rising to €4/kg.

Hogget numbers are easing for lowland flocks, while a number of hill groups have reported good interest and record prices.

Mayo and Connemara hoggets are trading anywhere from €180 to €220/head for lighter- to medium-quality lots, while €240 to €290 is being paid for good-quality and prizewinning lots at specialist sales.

Lanark-type and Cheviot lots are trading for similar money at €250 to €300, with prizewinners again selling for higher.

The cull ewe trade is holding relatively firm, despite factory pressure on price. Good-quality feeding ewes are selling from €1.70/kg to €2.10/kg, while fleshed lowland ewes are from €1.90/kg to €2.30/kg. This reduces to €1.20/kg to €1.60/kg for hill ewes and back to €1/kg for light ewes lacking significant flesh cover.