There is a little more bite for spring lambs in mart sales this week, but numbers remain low. Lambs weighing 43kg to 45kg are selling for €135 to €145/head. Prices are up €3 to €4/head in general on last week in most sales.

Top prices for quality lambs are also on the rise, with €150+ being paid. Last week it was a struggle to breach the €140/head mark.

Lighter lambs weighing 38kg to 41kg are selling for €125 to €130/head. Farmers will be hopeful this strong trade continues given the cost it took to get lambs fit for sale this year.

Hogget prices are holding steady, but rising in some sales. Hoggets weighing 45kg to 49kg are selling for €120 to €130/head, or €75 to €81 over the weight. Heavy hoggets weighing 50kg+ with good flesh cover are moving at €132 to €140/head. Top prices of €150/head were paid for quality well-fleshed lots.

The slight improvement in weather conditions is encouraging more customers for ewes with lambs at foot. Ewes with one lamb are selling from €130 to €190/unit. Ewes with two lambs are making €175 to €282/unit. Up to now, numbers of ewes with lambs at foot coming to sales has been relatively smaller compared with other years, which may add to competition.

Top prices for cull ewes reached €155/head this week. Fleshed ewes in general are selling for €115 to €140/head, with larger-framed and well-fleshed ewes commanding higher prices. Lighter feeding ewes are selling for €70 to €115/head.