Factory agents are giving that bit more to secure fleshed lambs over the past week, as numbers available for slaughter start to tighten up.

Improvements of €2 to €3/head have been seen for fleshed lots recently, with extra competition pushing prices upwards.

Lambs weighing 47kg to 50kg are selling from €98 to €104/head, or €51 to €54 over the weight.

Prices for lambs weighing over 50kg have also seen significant improvements, with prices ranging from €105 up to €110/head in general and some lots making up to €113/head where butchers were keen.

In some marts, prices and demand for stores have also been on the up. Greater confidence in the market and a greater supply of fodder crops this year are contributing towards the price improvements.

Premiums for nice-type ewe lambs are being paid, but the bulk of buyers now are looking for lambs to finish.

In these sales, where the greater demand was apparent, lowland-bred stores weighing 30kg to 35kg were selling from €70 to €80/head or €40 to €45 over the weight. Heavier store lambs weighing 36kg to 39kg are selling from €82 to €85/head. Forward store lambs weighing 40kg to 44kg are selling from €86 to €95/head.

Cull ewes

The improvements in the cull ewe trade that we commented on last week in the marts doesn’t seem to be a flash in the pan. Prices are holding at the stronger level, with more heavy fleshed ewes selling over €100/head. Top prices for ewes reached €115/head this week. Feeding ewes are selling from €60 to €90/head.