Last week’s sheep mart comment reported lamb prices possibly being easier by €1 to €2 per head. This drop in price has been reversed in most sales held this week, with agents anxious to secure higher numbers and willing to compete with greater intensity.

Prices for factory-type lambs weighing 47kg to upwards of 50kg range from €105 to €113 on average, with top-quality lots in cases rising to €115. Butcher-type lambs are exceeding this range in isolated cases and selling to a top of €120/head. Lambs lacking flesh in the 47kg to 50kg bracket are averaging around €100/head.

Reports on the store lamb trade are variable. Some mart managers report buyers becoming more selective and less demand for light long-keep lambs that will not be finished until well into 2021.

Lowland lots weighing upwards of 40kg remain at a range of €85 to €95. Lambs weighing 35kg to 38kg are selling from €2/kg for plain-quality crossbreds to €2.20/kg to €2.35/kg for nice-quality tight-wooled lowland lambs. Scotch ram lambs range in price from €1.80/kg to €2/kg for lighter and plainer types to a top of €2/kg to €2.15/kg for larger-framed lambs suitable for a short finishing period.

The cull ewe trade is steady, with large-framed fleshed ewes selling from €105 to €125 on average, while medium-sized ewes range from €90 to €110.

Demand for feeding ewes is keeping a good floor under price, with ewes with an average cover of flesh and the potential to achieve a quick thrive ranging from €70 to €90 for good lowland ewes.

Breeding ewe numbers continue to reduce, but those on offer are meeting a solid demand. Nice-quality hoggets are trading from €165 to €185 on average, with plainer-quality lots and light crossbred types back to €130 to €150, while top-quality lots are still hitting €200 in rare cases in general sales.

Hill ewe sales remain brisk, with good-quality Cheviot and Scottish Blackface ewe hoggets selling from €160 to €230, with lighter types back to €130 to €140. Strong ewe lambs are selling from €110 to €160 with lighter lots from €70 to €120.