The recent reduction in factory prices has led to a significant fall-off in mart and factory entries, with producers happy to delay presenting hoggets with weather on their side.

Factory agents remain anxious for hoggets, but, with a sluggish trade, they are limited in the price they are willing to pay.

However, pressure to secure supplies has led to a marginal increase in some sales, with average prices rising by €1 to €2 per head.

Hoggets weighing 50kg upwards are trading on average from €114 to €122, with the heaviest best-quality lots selling to €124/€125. Store lambs are steady, with good lowland lambs selling in the region of €2.50/kg.

Tight-wooled lambs weighing 37kg to 42kg are ranging in price from €92 to €112, with flesh cover having a major influence on prices paid.

The trade for ewes with lambs at foot is heavily influenced by the quality of sheep on offer.

Single lamb lots are selling from €140 to €180 on average, while twin lamb lots range in general from €180 to €230, but higher has been paid for young ewes with strong lambs at foot.

There is no great bite for in-lamb ewes, with small numbers being presented in sales.

Prices are starting at €100 to €120 for crossbred or aged ewes, with good-quality ewes carrying an average of 1.6 to two lambs selling from €150 to €170.

Cull ewes are solid, with large-framed heavy ewes selling well.

Prices range from €100 to €120, with select lots rising to €125 or slightly higher.

Medium-sized ewes with an average cover of flesh are selling from €70 upwards.