Lamb numbers entering mart sales is picking up now. Mart sales were small until recently, with the number of lambs available noticeably back. The small rise in numbers has not had a negative effect on price and agents and wholesalers are still competing for numbers.

Factory-fit lambs weighing 43kg to 46kg are selling for €118 to €128/head, or €75 to €82 over the weight. Heavier fleshed lambs weighing 47kg to 50kg are selling from €130 to €140/head, or €83 to €90 over the weight.

Top prices for lambs where butchers were keen exceeded €145/head, with prices ranging from €135 to €147/head.

The ratio of finished lambs to store lambs in sales is still about 9:1. Store lamb numbers are increasing, but sales are still predominantly made up of finished lots. Forward store lambs weighing 40kg to 42kg are selling from €102 to €110/head, flesh cover being a major driver of prices achieved.

Lighter lambs weighing 35kg to 39kg are selling from €85 to €100/head, or €50 to €61 over the weight. From July onwards, it will most likely be a 50:50 ratio of finished lambs to stores, but there should be more store buyers available by then to soak up the extra numbers.

Cull ewes

Mart managers are reporting very strong sales for cull ewes. The trade remains lively, especially for fleshed lots.

Average-sized ewes are selling from €90 to €120/head. Heavier fleshed ewes are selling from €125 to €135/head, with top prices reaching in excess of €140/head.

Light ewes with poor frames in need of further feeding are selling back at prices of €60 to €85/head.

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