There have been some small improvements in the lamb trade over the past week. Prices for fleshed lambs have increased by €1 to €2/head in certain sales, not a major change but a step in the right direction. Factory agents have been loosening the purse strings a little to secure numbers.

Lambs weighing 45kg to 47kg are selling from €94 to €98/head, or €49 to €51 over the weight. Heavier lambs weighing 48kg to 50kg are moving at prices of €98 to €104/head.

Butcher-type lambs are selling mainly up to €107/head with some hitting €110/head. Nice-type ewe lambs are selling from €100 to €115/head in the main.

Store trade

Dan McCarthy from Kenmare Mart in Co Kerry said the store trade has improved significantly since the end of September. He said there has been an influx of lambs being traded, but thankfully there are buyers available to match supply.

According to Dan, there are a lot of midlands-based farmers buying up lambs now, but there remains a notable lack of eastern buyers.

Scotch-bred lambs are selling from €1.60/kg to €1.70/kg, with crossbreds moving at €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg and higher for the right type of lamb.

Lowland-bred lots are selling from €2/kg upwards. Across the country, lowland-bred store lambs are holding steady.

Lambs weighing 32kg to 38kg are selling from €70 to €80/head, or €38 to €42 over the weight. Heavier store lambs weighing 39kg to 42kg are selling from €80 to €90/head or €41 to €48 over.

Cull ewes

Mart managers have commented that there has been a greater push for feeding ewes, with more buyers available.

This will come as welcome news, as the trade has been quite depressed recently.

Feeding ewes are selling from €45 to €90/head with fleshed ewes selling from €95 to €110/head.