Last Tuesday’s sheep sale at Mayo/Sligo Mart, Ballina, saw another strong entry of lambs, cull ewes and breeders. Mart manager Billy Loftus said that the strong entry is common at this stage of the year and will normally continue for another four to six weeks.

The high numbers saw a slightly slower trade for lambs on the day. Light lambs from 35kg to 40kg sold mainly from €75 to €80/head, while those from 40kg to 45kg were met with reasonably firm demand and made from €84 to €89/head.

Those from 45kg to 50kg were said to be back slightly on the day and prices ranged mainly from €95 to €100/head.

Heavy butcher-type lambs were a relatively firm trade and sold mainly from €100 to €105/head.

Cull ewe prices were fairly firm on Tuesday. Billy said that the majority of feeding ewes sold from €50 to €80, while fleshed types made from €80 to €110. Demand for hoggets and breeders were brisk, with strong numbers of farmers sourcing all quality types. Breeding ewes sold mainly from €120 to €150, with younger types commanding the higher end of prices. Breeding hoggets sold from €160 to €200. Commission rates are 1.7% to the seller and to the buyer.