Mart managers in the west and south have said that there has been a little improvement in the store lamb trade since the summer. Prices have not changed much, but clearances have improved and there definitely are more buyers around.

“Lambs weighing 28kg to 32kg are the easiest to sell, but more forward lambs are that bit tougher because the margin is getting tighter,” according to one mart manager.

Scotch lambs are selling from €1.60/kg to €1.70/kg and most crossbred lambs are selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg. Lowland-bred lambs are selling from €1.90/kg to €2.15/kg, but prices above €2/kg are harder to come by.

Factory-fit lambs are a steady trade. Lambs weighing 46kg to 49kg are selling from €92 to €102/head, with flesh cover dictating prices paid. Heavier lambs weighing over 50kg made up to €110/head in sales. Lambs weighing 40kg to 46kg sold from €80 to €90/head. As always, most sales had buyers available for the right type of ewe lambs, with some weighing 40kg making over €100/head and higher.

Breeding ewe sales are starting to show signs of scaling back now. The variation in prices is big this year and, for a lot of sellers, it will be one to forget.

Hoggets are selling anywhere from €120 to €170/head, with the odd lot making over €180/head. Similarly, the mature breeding ewe prices were hit and miss this year, with ewes selling anywhere from €110 to €160/head, with the odd exception.

Fleshed ewes are selling from €80 to €115 per head. Large-framed ewes with a very good flesh cover are making up to €125 per head. Light cull ewes are selling from €40 to €75 per head.