Yesterday’s sheep sale at Roscommon Mart saw a smaller entry of sheep on offer. Mart manager Maura Quigley said that the good weather and farmers busy lambing resulted in the smaller than usual sale.

Despite smaller numbers, there was a strong trade at the mart, with factory agents still very active for all good-quality hoggets.

Heavy hoggets over 55kg sold to €125, while the majority of those from 45kg to 50kg sold mainly from €107 to €121 per head.

The best demand was again for all good-quality hoggets with a good covering of flesh.

The less well-covered hoggets met with the lower range of prices.

Lighter hoggets from 40kg to 45kg sold mainly from €107 to €110/head.

There were a share of store hoggets on offer and these were a strong trade also, with firm buyer demand.

Store hoggets were not weighed, but sold mainly from €80 to €88 per head. Cull or cast ewes sold mainly from €100 to €130 per head, but the quality of those on offer was strong.

Ewes with lambs at foot sold mainly from €155 to €266 per lot, with the lower prices paid for older ewes and the upper end of prices paid for younger second-crop ewes with twins at foot.

Commission rates are 1.6% to the seller and €1 to the buyer.