Entries of breeding ewes and hoggets are slowly starting to increase, with those on offer meeting solid demand.

Many marts will be holding special sales in the coming weeks, but some mart managers comment that farmers are starting to show sheep that were earmarked for these sales to take advantage of the strong start to the trade.

Ewe lambs with breeding potential are also in demand in normal sales, with quality lots weighing upwards of 45kg selling from €115 to €135 on average

Nice-quality hoggets are selling in the region of €180 to €215 per head, with first- and second-crop ewes with a good frame and size selling from €150 to €180.

Ewe lambs with breeding potential are also in demand in normal sales, with quality lots weighing upwards of 45kg selling from €115 to €135 on average, with top lots exceeding this range in special sales (see page 32).

In contrast, the store lamb and finished lamb trade has eased back over the last week to 10 days.

Good-quality lowland store lambs presented well are still capable of attracting extra competition and a price premium, but, in general, prices are easier.

Lambs weighing 34kg to 38kg are selling from €78 to €86 on average, with heavier lots weighing 40kg to 42kg selling to €90.

Lighter lots

Lighter lots weighing 30kg to 32kg are selling anywhere from €70 to €80, with quality also strongly influencing prices, while crossbred lambs are selling in the region of €2.15/kg to €2.30/kg and back to €2/kg for poorer-quality types.

Heavy cull ewes killing upwards of 38kg to 40kg carcase weight are selling from €115 to €125

Factory lambs weighing 44kg to 47kg are selling on average from €95 to €105, with butcher-type lambs and heavier lots weighing up to 50kg and over selling from €107 to €115.

Heavy cull ewes killing upwards of 38kg to 40kg carcase weight are selling from €115 to €125, with select lots higher.

Medium-weight lots are trading from €90 to €110, with feeding ewes from €75 to €90.