The factory backlog is really biting in some parts in the past week, with mart managers reporting a much tougher trade this week across the country.

Factory agent activity is reduced, as numbers flowing through factories remain high, but factories are working their way through the numbers.

One of the issues at mart level is the amount of flesh on lambs, which is having an impact. Difficulties in getting cull ewes slaughtered is starting to have an impact on mart prices also, with noticeably less demand at the ringside. Feeding ewes are selling from €55 to €70/head, with fleshed ewes selling mainly from €90 to €110/head depending on quality, and averaging around the €95 to €100/head mark.

Heavy butchers’ lambs over 50kg have seen prices ease, with reduced mart demand. Prices at mart sales are ranging mainly from €95 to €98/head, with some reports of up to €104/head being paid for choice lots in some sales.

Factory lambs from 45kg to 50kg are selling mainly from €90 to €95/head, but some sales are seeing prices back by €2/head on last week. Lambs from 42kg to 44kg are ranging mainly from €81 to €85/head, which is back by €2 to €4/head depending on the sale.

Despite there being strong grass supplies across much of the country, the weaker factory trade is having an impact on some store sales.

Having said that, with ground conditions worsening, demand may improve once again. The average 40kg store is selling mainly from €75 to €80/head, with few making over €82/head this week. Average prices are running about €1 to €2/head lower than the same time last year.

Lighter store lambs from 35kg to 37kg are a stronger trade and are selling mainly from €70 to €76/head depending on quality. Light lambs under 30kg are selling mainly from €60 to €70/head depending on quality.