The lamb trade remained steady in marts across the country, as farmers turn towards the factories with heavier lambs on the back of price increases.

An increase in numbers was reported at the sheep sale in Tuam, Co. Galway, on Tuesday, November 22, according to Mart Manager Marian Devane.

“We had close to 1,000 sheep for the sale, with 70 of those being cast ewes. That was about 200 more than last week.

“It was more of a buyers market at the sale with plenty of interest from farmers and factory men, with farmers being more interested in the store lambs as factory men focused on the heavier lambs,” she said.

Sample lamb prices:
  • 53.5kg – €114 or €2.13/kg
  • 51kg – €105 or €2.06/kg
  • 48kg – €90 or €1.87/kg
  • 44kg – €90 or €2.04/kg
  • 39kg – €80 or €2.05/kg
  • 37kg – €72 or €1.94/kg

Meanwhile, trade for cast ewes remained steady at the Tuam sale, with the 70 ewes on offer making between €41-100/head, Devane said.

Raphoe Mart, Co. Donegal

There was a good trade reported for all sheep at Raphoe Mart, Co. Donegal, on Monday, November 21.

Again most lots were sold, with ewe lamb lots breaking the €100 mark for weights of 50/kg and above.

Prices for lambs in general ranged between €2-2.10/kg, while prices for cast ewes ranged from €40-107/head at the Co. Donegal sale.

Sample lamb prices:
  • 53kg ewe lambs – €106 or €2/kg
  • 50kg ewe lambs – €103 or €2.06/kg
  • 43kg ewe lambs – €90 or €2.09/kg
  • 47kg – €96 or €2.04/kg
  • 45kg – €93 or €2.06/kg
  • 34kg – €70 or €2.06/kg

Tullow Mart, Co. Carlow

Tullow Mart reported a good trade for lambs across the board, as numbers were slightly up on last week, according to a spokesperson for the mart.

“Numbers were up on last week, but the remained low overall. Most of the lots were sold, you could say we had 99% clearance,” he said.

Lambs were selling for between €1.97-2.25/kg during the sale with considerable interest from buyers.

Lighter lambs were a strong trade with a lot of 36kg lambs selling for €81/head, while another lot of 39kg lambs made €87/head.

Sample lamb prices:
  • 57kg – €107 or €1.88/kg
  • 47kg – €100 or €2.13/kg
  • 40kg – €84 or €2.10/kg
  • 42kg – €94 or €2.24/kg
  • 39kg – €87 or €2.23/kg

Trade remained similar to other marts around the country for cast ewes as lots made between €65-96/head.