The last three weeks have seen a surge in demand for fleshed lambs. Numbers available in sales is variable, with throughput in some marts on par with previous years while others are well behind.

Prices in the marts are being driven on by eager factory agents, who have been given the task to source tightening numbers of fleshed lambs.

Lambs weighing over 50kg are selling from €108 to €114/head, with the odd lot making up to €117/head.

Lighter but well-covered lambs weighing 47kg to 49kg are selling from €100 to €107/head. Forward store lambs in good order and weighing 43kg to 46kg are selling from €90 to €97/head.

According to mart managers, there has been no major change in store lamb prices, but they reasoned that if factory-fit lamb prices continue to rise, store lamb prices won’t be long following suit.

Good-quality store lambs weighing 37kg to 39kg are selling from €85 to €90/head. Lighter lambs weighing 30kg to 33kg have seen price variations.

Good-quality lots that are likely to respond well to feeding are selling from €75 to €80/head. Poorer-quality, lame and tail-end lambs are selling from €65 to €75/head.

Cull ewes

Ewe numbers continue to tighten in the marts and hopes that prices will harden in line with better factory returns are building. Heavy ewes are selling from €90 to €110/head.

Top prices for exceptional lots of fleshed ewes range from €117 to €125/head, but these prices, like the ewes, are the exception rather than the rule. Feeding ewes are making anywhere from €80 to €90/head.