Kilkenny Mart held its weekly sheep sale on Monday (July 20), where 780 sheep went through the ring, with trade described as "remarkably firm".

The sale saw a near doubling of numbers from last week, with "interest created by wholesalers and factory agents."

Factory demand has remained strong over the last fortnight, driving prices ringside.

Demand ringside has remained strong, continuing on from the exceptional demand seen in Kilkenny last week, with a near 100% clearance rate, as only one farmer failed to sell.

Spring lambs for butcher or wholesale saw prices range from €3.56-€4.20/kg and between €198-€249/head.

The top call for lambs on the day went to a pen of five spring lambs for butcher or wholesale who weighed on average 70kg and sold for €249/head at €3.56/kg.

More sample butcher and wholesale lamb prices from the sale include:

A pen of 10 spring lambs weighing on average 54kg sold for €225/head at €4.17/kg;
A pen of 10 spring lambs weighing on average 53kg sold for €219/head at €4.13/kg;
A pen of 13 spring lambs weighing on average 52kg sold for €218/head at €4.19/kg;
A large pen of 25 spring lambs weighing on average 50kg sold for €205/head at €4.10/kg.

Factory type lambs saw price ranges from €3.80-€4.11/kg and between €164-€195/head.

The top call per kg for factory lambs went to a pen of 10 spring lambs weighing on average 47kg each, and sold for €193/head at €4.11/kg.

Below are some more sample prices for factory lambs:

A pen of 12 spring lambs weighing on average 46kg sold for €187/head at €4.07/kg;
A pen of 10 spring lambs weighing on average 45kg sold for €184/head at €4.09/kg;
A pen of 16 spring lambs weighing on average 44kg sold for €169/head at €3.84/kg.

Cast ewes also saw good trade with prices ranging from €141-€290/head with a full clearance.

Commenting on the quality of lambs through the ring, Kilkenny Mart auctioneer George Candler said it was "excellent, which is a credit to the sellers from Kilkenny, Carlow, Tipperary, Laois, and Wexford".

Young stock sale

Kilkenny Mart is now hosting its young stock trade for calves and runners on Mondays after the sheep sale has concluded. This is the first week of this new schedule for the trade.

Numbers were described as small by Candler but stock still attracted interest. Hereford and Angus calves fetched from €400-€650/head.

Friesian bull calves ranged from €190-€500 per head while runners, mainly Angus, ranged from €620-€1,030 per head.

Commenting on the calf trade, Candler said that demand was "driven by exporters, but is coming to an end".