Mart report: Store lamb buyers 'in short supply' in south-east
Store lamb buyers "are in short supply" in the south-east of the country with the lack of grass preventing them from "getting involved in the trade".
That's according to Kilkenny Mart auctioneer George Chandler.
The Co. Kilkenny mart venue hosted its weekly sheep sale today (Monday, August 31) with over 500 head of sheep on offer.
The auctioneer said that there was "a smaller sale of sheep" at the mart venue this week and that the trade was "similar to last week".
He said that butcher wholesale-type lambs sold for up to €206/head for four lambs with an average weight of 58kg.
Few lambs made in excess of the €200/head mark, according to the auctioneer.
"A few weeks ago, €200 was a regular call for the quality butcher wholesale [lamb] but today, the €200 mark was few and far between."
A pen of 20 lambs with an average weight of 56kg sold for €202/head or €3.61/kg.
Another pen of five lambs with an average weight of 60kg sold for €200/head or €3.33/kg.
Factory-type lambs ranged from €3.40-€3.65/kg or €145-€170/head.
A pen of 27 lambs with an average weight of 47kg sold for €170/head or €3.62/kg.
10 lambs with an average weight of 45kg sold for €3.58/kg or €161/head.
Seven lambs with an average weight of 41kg sold for €146/head or €3.56/kg.
Store lambs ranged in price from €90-€140/head or €3.00-€3.75/kg.
Eight lambs with an average weight of 34kg sold for €110/head or €3.24/kg.
21 lambs with an average weight of 37kg sold for €112/head or €3.03/kg.
Five lambs with an average weight of 36kg sold for €134/head or €3.72/kg.
Cull ewes made from €104-€250/head in the sale.
