Tullow Mart held its weekly sheep sale on Tuesday (July 7), where 1,600 sheep went through the ring, with farmer confidence evident despite smaller numbers from previous week.

In a report issued after the sale, the trade was described as "noticeably better for well-fleshed factory and butcher lambs".

The top call on the day went to a pen of 10 lambs weighing on average 55kg each, that made €218/head or €3.96/kg.

Butcher lambs, typically heavier types, weighing from 48-54kg made between €196-€218 per head.

Fleshing was noted as being particularly important, with good presentation of lambs being a key factor in driving price.

Below are some sample prices for butcher lambs from the sale:

A pen of 35 lambs weighing 51kg on average made €208/head or €4.08/kg;
A pen of 18 lambs weighing 51kg on average made €214/head or €4.20/kg.

Factory-type lambs, typically weighing between 43-47kg, made from €184-€202/head, with fleshing being a key requirement for high prices.

Below are some sample prices for factory-type lambs:

A pen of 11 lambs weighing 44kg on average made €191/head or €4.67/kg;
A pen of 20 lambs weighing 47kgon average sold for €198/head or €4.21/kg.

Store lambs, typically weighing between 35-42kg, made from €146-€168. Lighter type store lambs weighing from 26-34kg, made between €118-€150/head.

Cast ewes also saw a good trade with lighter feeding types going from €160 and getting a top call of €200. Feeding types met a similarily strong trade with a top call of €280.

Below are some sample prices for cast ewes on the day:

A pen of 11 cast ewes, not shorn, weighing on average 92kg each, made €256/head or €2.78/kg;

A 80kg cast ewe sold for €240 or €3.00/kg;
A pen of 12 cast ewes weighing 65kg on average made €180/head or €2.77/kg.

The opening brood ewe sale was said to have met with a confident start. Breeding ewe trade saw hoggets fetch between €285-€335 per ewe, while aged ewes fetched between €220-€300/head.

Three ewes over four-years-old sold for €300. A pen of 10 Suffolk-cross hoggets made €330, while another pen of 10lighter type Suffolk-cross hoggets sold for €285.

This sheep sale in Tullow comes as factory lamb prices eased back marginally but cull ewe quotes held or rose in some cases.