Prices for store lambs have been rising steadily over the past three weeks. In the marts, feeders have been very keen for both long-term and short-keep lambs for finishing.

According to mart managers, with numbers projected to be tight over the spring period and grass in good supply, these feeders are buying with confidence.

Kenmare Mart manager Dan McCarthy said their sheep sale in Co Kerry last Monday was the dearest sale he witnessed in all his years managing the mart.

“A lot of the midlands farmers who were buying lambs were the same customers from last autumn. They were restocking because they have plenty of grass and factory prices are good,” Dan explained.

He said light hill-bred store lambs were making unbelievable prices of €2.50/kg to €2.80/kg, with some selling as high as €3/kg liveweight.

The lambs commanding these prices weighed from 19kg to 35kg.

This is a huge increase on prices paid last autumn (€1.70/kg to €1.80/kg for Scotch-bred lambs).

Lowland-bred store lambs are selling very well now too. Forward store lambs weighing 40kg to 44kg are selling from €100 to €115/head, with prices up by €4 to €6/head on last week in a lot of cases.

Lighter lowland lambs weighing 35kg to 39kg are selling for €90 to €100/head, with some lambs in that weight range breaking the €100/head mark where competition was particularly intense.

Lambs weighing 30kg and higher are selling from €80/head upwards.

Fleshed lamb prices are hardening on a weekly basis.

Lambs over 50kg are selling from €120/head, with the majority making €125/head and some over €130/head.

Lambs weighing 46kg to 49kg are selling from €110 to €120/head.

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Sheep trends: upward price momentum continues