The mart sheep trade has remained solid over the last week. Hogget entries are down to a minimum and spring lambs not yet at a level to compensate. This is helping to keep a floor under the trade, while strong butcher and wholesale activity is adding life into the trade for top-quality and heavier lambs.

Fleshed lots are selling from €98 to €110, while lots lacking flesh are typically selling from €90 upwards

Lambs weighing 46kg to 50kg range in price from €124 to €130, with small numbers exceeding this mark. Lambs weighing 43kg to 45kg are trading from €118 to €125 depending on quality, while lighter-fleshed lots weighing 40kg to 41kg are trading in the main from €116 to €122, with the factory price and expected kill-out of these lambs influencing prices paid.

There is a small number of lighter lambs weighing 36kg to 38kg appearing. Fleshed lots are selling from €98 to €110, while lots lacking flesh are typically selling from €90 upwards. Numbers of these types remain tight.

Hogget prices are very variable. Factory-grade fleshed hoggets weighing 50kg and upwards are selling on average from €120 to €126, while lighter lots weighing 47kg and heavier are trading from €115 to €120. There is firm demand for ewe hoggets, with some buyers switching over to hoggets due to low numbers of ewes with lambs at foot appearing in sales.

Single-lamb lots are averaging from €150 to €160

Top-quality well-grown hoggets weighing 55kg and higher are trading anywhere from €140 to a top of €160 to €170 for excellent-quality lots, while lighter hoggets weighing back to 45kg and slightly lesser-quality types are trading from €120 to €135.

Ewes with lambs at foot continue to range from €200 to €250 for good twin lamb units comprising ewes with a good mouth and solid lambs. Single-lamb lots are averaging from €150 to €160 for lesser-quality lowland types to as high as €190 to €220 for good ewes with strong lambs at foot. Scotch lamb units range from €100 for aged lots to as high as €170 to €180 for young ewes and nice-quality lambs.