A strong trade for sheep across the board was seen at Tullow Mart on Tuesday (July 27) and after the sale, the mart's manager Eric Driver spoke to Agriland to give a rundown on the trade.

Eric said: "We had a very large sale at Tullow Mart on Tuesday , with over 2,800 sheep on offer.

"The trade, I would call, would have been €2-3/head stronger across the board, especially in the case of heavier-type lambs.

"Forward stores, 40-43kg, sold from €118/head up to €128/head - with a very lively trade seen for them.

"Plenty of farmer custom starting to stir around the ring for those lighter type lambs, with 37-38kg lambs selling from €104/head up to €114/head - with a marked demand for ewe lambs.

"30-34kg lambs traded from €88/head up to €103/head, with again quality dictating the prices paid out."

Eric said a lively cast ewe trade was seen at Tullow on Tuesday, with prices topping €212/head for heavy culls.

He added: "Heavy ewes sold up to €212, with the majority of those ewes from 110-115kg selling from €180-195/head.

A brisk trade was seen for hoggets Eric said with prices topping €255/head.

He explained: "In the brood ring, a very brisk trade was seen for hoggets. Lighter-type hoggets sold from €185/head up to €210/head - with stronger-type hoggets making up to €255/head.

A sale of Hampshire Down sheep also took place at Tullow on Tuesday and wa met with strong demand, according to Eric.

He added: "It was a very active sale, with farmer ram lambs making from €450/head up to €650/head, while rams being sought by breeders making up to €1,000/head.

"There was also a noticeable demand for ewe lambs - which would suggest demand for this particular breed is on the increase."