There are varying reports returning from sheep sales held in the last week. The number of sheep on offer is reported as being lower than before Level 5 restrictions were imposed on marts. It is likely this is due to a combination of numbers declining seasonally and also from some farmers holding off presenting sheep until they see how the two trading options of online sales and a tendering process are performing.

Finished lambs weighing 48kg to 52kg continue to trade on average from €107 to €113

Reports indicate there is no real change in average prices achieved. The lower number of finished lambs on offer is generating extra competition in cases between factory agents and preventing some recent downward factory price pressure from having a significant effect on price.

Finished lambs weighing 48kg to 52kg continue to trade on average from €107 to €113, with quality having a major bearing on price, while top prices for excellent quality lambs including heavier lots and select ewe lambs range from €114 to €120. Lighter lots weighing 42kg to 46kg are selling from the high €90s for lowland forward store types to €104 to €108 for lots with a cover of flesh.

Entries of breeding sheep are now down to small numbers with quality hugely variable and leaving it difficult to put a range on prices paid

The trade for store lambs is holding well although a reduction in the quality of lambs on offer is said to be lowering average prices in some sales. Good lowland stores weighing 35kg to 38kg are trading from €2.30/kg to €2.45/kg with crossbred and hill types selling from €2.20/kg upwards. Lighter lots are achieving a similar price per kilo with small numbers of light lambs with poor weight-for-age or showing signs of stunted growth selling back to €2/kg to €2.10/kg.

Entries of breeding sheep are now down to small numbers with quality hugely variable and leaving it difficult to put a range on prices paid. For example, there have been poor quality light hoggets selling as low as €100 to €120 while better-quality types are selling from €150 to €175.

The cull ewe trade is steady. Large-framed fleshed ewes are topping the €100 mark and selling to a top of €115 to €125 on average. Medium-sized lots are selling from €75 to €95 while crossbred and poor-quality lowland ewes lacking flesh range from €55 to €65. Scotch ewes range anywhere from €30 for poor-quality types to €50 to €60 for larger framed ewes.