Price reductions imposed in sheep factories are being felt in the marts. Price falls of a further €3 to €5/head are common over the past number of days for factory-fit lambs.

Lambs weighing 43kg to 46kg with good flesh cover are selling from €98/head to €105/head, or €55 to €59 over the weight.

One mart manager said factory agents are becoming much more selective, with lambs lacking flesh difficult to sell. These lambs lacking flesh in the same weight range are making €3 to €5/head less, in most cases.

Heavier lambs weighing 47kg to 50kg have also met price reductions. In most cases, these weight lambs did not breach the €110/head mark. Lambs weighing 50kg-plus are selling from €110 to €120/head, with flesh cover again being the key driver of price.

The store lamb trade is being described as subdued compared with previous years. It is all down to the weather unfortunately.

Store buyers from the midlands and east of the country have been very quiet in sales this year because of the scarcity of grass on their farms currently. In the southwest, Suffolk-cross hill lambs are making up to €2/kg, while Scotch-bred mountain lambs are making €1.70/kg on average.

Lowland-bred lambs weighing 30kg to 35kg are making €70 to €82/head and lambs weighing 35kg to 39kg are selling for €82 to €89/head. Short-keep lambs weighing 40kg to 42kg are making €90 to €94/head.

Cull ewe prices have also seen reductions in some sales this week, but prices have held steady in others.

Heavy fleshed ewes are selling from €110 to €120/head and top prices of €130/head were paid for top-quality ewes. Where price reductions were felt, fleshed ewes sold from €100 to €110/head.