The Western Organic Producer Organisation (WOPO) hosted its inaugural sale of organic sheep on Sunday, August 23, at Maam Cross Mart in Connemara, Co. Galway.

A sale report from the group described the sheep on offer in the sale as "strong, healthy and very well presented".

Buyers were "very happy with the quality of all stock" on offer in the organic producer group sale, the organisers said.

The hoggets were first into the ring and, in line with trends around the country, there was an average demand.

The top price paid for hoggets in the sale was €272/head, while the minimum price was €127/head.

The average sale price of the hoggets on offer on the day settled at €211.

Store lambs were described as "a good trade" in the sale.

The prices achieved were €20-25 ahead of conventional store lamb prices for similar type stock, according to the organisers.

The market for ewe lambs was described as "brisk" with "exceptional prices" paid for blackface ewe lambs.

Several in attendance at the sale commended the high quality of the ewe lambs on offer in the sale.

Cossbred lambs were going for prices ranging from €90-170 with weight ranges from 21.5kg up to 34kg.

There was a big crowd of farmers in attendance at the Sunday sale.

All present were treated to organic lamb burgers supplied by producer group member Tommie Hoban of Gleann Aolain Organic Farm, while the salads and tomatoes were supplied by Joe Kelly Organics from Kiltimagh in Co. Mayo.

The producer group said it was happy with how the inaugural sale went and is confident there is scope to further develop and grow the sale.

One of the core aims of the producer organisation is to demonstrate that organic farming can help farmers maintain and improve margins.

The Western Organic Producer Organisation is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).