The cost of feed is telling and more lighter hoggets are appearing as farmers aren't getting the return from feeding lambs, David Faughnan of Ballymote Mart has said.

However, David, the mart's manager, also said that farmers were keen on store hogget/lamb ewes at Tuesday's (January 31) weekly sale.

The number of hoggets on offer was around the 300-head mark which he said was a bit back for the time of year.

Giving a rundown of the trade at Tuesday's sale to Agriland, Faughnan said: "Hogget ewes and forward store lambs were a bright trade. Over the past two weeks the trade has been good overall in comparison to a few weeks back.

"There were was a good demand among farmers in Ballymote for hogget ewes over the 40kg mark. With the ewes they can run them on grass and either have them for finishing in a few months, sell them as breeders or keep them on.

"Those that will and are buying stores for finishing won't be pushing them with the cost of meal."

Sample ewe hogget prices:

"Even lighter stores saw some good prices, but generally were for ewes with ram lambs a tougher trade.

"The trade for factory hoggets was similar to the week and was solid. Prices for factory-fit hoggets ranged from €130/head up to highs of €145-147/head.

Sample finished hogget prices:

"Cull ewes were a strong trade particularly for the heavier ewes with prices making to a high of €182/head for 90kg. Heavier lots started from €145/head.

"Medium sized ewes made from €105/head up to €140/head with store ewes selling for €50-100/head.

"While ewes with lambs at foot made up to a high of €200/unit for a ewe with a single lamb."