Some 2,600 sheep were on offer at Carnew Mart’s weekly sale on Thursday, July 9, which was an increase of over 700 head in comparison to the previous week.
The mart manager, David Quinn, described the trade as ‘flying and very lively’, with heavy lambs a stronger trade once again.
On the day, there were butcher, factory and store lambs on offer as well as a ‘couple hundred’ breeding ewe hoggets and ewes.
Speaking to AgriLand about the trade on the day, David said: “We had a large entry of sheep. There was a good trade for all types of sheep on offer.
“Heavy lambs were a stronger trade again this week. Butcher lambs made anywhere from €120/head up to €124/head, with some lots exceeding this price range.
“The top price on the day was €128/head for a pen of heavy lambs weighing 54kg.
Then, in terms of factory-type lambs, these lots sold from €114/head up to €123/head, while lambs weighing between 40kg and 44kg made from €92/head up to €112/head.
“Store lambs were a very good trade, with plenty of farmer interest for these lots. In general, forward-type store lambs sold from €86/head up to €102/head.
“Whereas, light store lambs, weighing below 35kg, made from €70/head up to €85/head. In comparison to last year, I’d say store lambs are €10-12/head dearer.
“Looking at the cull ewes, again there was a strong trade for these lots. Store ewes made anywhere from €70/head up to €100/head for more forward-type stores, while heavy ewes sold for €120-138/head.
“Furthermore, we had a strong entry of breeding sheep. Ewe hoggets sold from €170/head up to €205/head, while two, three and four-year-old ewes made from €120/head up to €160/head.
“A couple of pens of ewe lambs, suitable for breeding, went under the hammer for just over €130/head, as well.”
