Demand for store lambs continues to be reasonably steady also, with prices firm on last week.

Lambs over 50kg are selling mainly from €104 to €107/head for good-quality types, with prices of over €114 being paid for top-quality lots. Heavy lambs carrying a little less flesh are making from €98 to €104/head.

Factory agent activity for lambs is strong, with prices similar to last week. However, in some cases, under-fleshed lambs are being met with a little easier demand.

Lambs from 45kg to 48kg are selling mainly from €102 to €104/head at the upper end of the market and are averaging at about €99/head, down €1/head on last week.

At the top of the trade, fat lambs in that weight category are selling for up to €104/head, which is similar to last week. Under-fleshed lambs in the same weight range are selling mainly from €87 to €92/head.

Store lamb demand is still quite strong, with buyers still active. Those from 37kg to 42kg are selling mainly from €78 to €87/head, which is similar to last week. Those from 34kg to 37kg are selling mainly from €70 to €80/head, back by about €3 to €4/head on last week.

Cull ewes

Cull ewes remain steady, with good-quality fleshed ewes making from €80 to €95/head and up to €110 in some areas. Plain and thin types are selling from €60 to €80/head.