There is greater pressure on factory agents to source additional numbers. This is being reflected in a livelier mart trade.

A number of managers report that some agents were reluctant in recent weeks to get heavily involved in bidding, but levels of competition have now improved significantly.

Agents are still cautious on prices they are willing to pay, but are slowly showing more leeway. Average prices are up €1 to €2 per head.

There is still good demand for ewe lambs

Lambs weighing 50kg to 54kg are trading from under the €100 mark for lots lacking flesh to €105 and higher in cases for quality lots.

Slaughter-fit lots weighing 44kg to 48kg are trading on average from €90 to €97, with the best-quality lots rising to €100.

There is still good demand for ewe lambs, with mixed lots containing some with breeding potential attracting a premium of €3 to €5, while select lots of well-matched heavier ewe lambs are selling to €115 to €130.

Scotch store lambs are selling for in the region of €1.75/kg to €1.95/kg for good-quality types

The store trade is still limited by finished lamb prices. Lowland lambs weighing 35kg to 40kg are trading from €75 to €88 on average, with lambs weighing back to 30kg selling from €60 for plainer types to €65 to €70.

Scotch store lambs are selling for in the region of €1.75/kg to €1.95/kg for good-quality types, with small numbers of plain-quality lots back to €1.65/kg.

Similarly, there are small numbers exceeding the €2/kg mark, with ewe lambs selling from €1.90/kg to €2.20/kg.

There is also more life entering the cull ewe trade.

Fleshed lowland ewes average €90 to €100, with more reports of heavy ewes selling to €110 with select deals involving excellent ewes €5 to €10 higher.

Fleshed crossbred ewes range from €75 to €85 with hill ewes anywhere from €35 for those lacking flesh to €70 to €80 for larger-framed fleshed hill ewes.