Following further strengthening in the live lamb trade at the end of last week, prices have settled since the start of the week.

Good-quality fleshed lambs weighing 50kg plus are trading from €125 for lambs with an average-to-good cover of flesh to €130 to €134 for well-fleshed lambs. Butcher interest pushed prices in a small number of cases to €135/head. Lighter slaughter-fit lambs weighing 47kg to 49kg are trading from €115 to €126 per head depending on condition.

Managers report a number of lighter lambs appearing to need significant feeding. Lowland lambs weighing 38kg to 42kg are trading anywhere from €90 to €105 with short-keep lots to €110. There is growing farmer interest in purchasing these lambs, with farmers who have sold lambs back in the market after making a good margin. Lighter poorer quality stores and crossbred lambs are trading from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg, with horned lambs in cases back to €1.70/kg for very light lambs.

The cull ewe trade remains firm. Most managers report a narrow differential in price, with very few ewes selling below €90 to €100 per head and the main run of good-quality fleshed ewes between €100 and €120 per head. Top-quality heavy carcase ewes are trading from €120 to €135 per head, with small numbers exceeding €140 per head.

In lamb ewes are trading from €150 to €200 for young ewe carrying a lamb and a half to two lambs with triplet bearing ewes commanding a similar price. Single-bearing lots are selling from €130 to €170 per head.