Heavy butcher lambs continue to sell well across marts, along with factory and store lambs. Looking at sheep sales that took place earlier this week, heavy lambs continue to sell well in excess of €120/head.

Ennis and Kilkenny marts reported strong sales at their weekly sheep sales. Numbers at both marts were small, which seems to be helping the trade of late.

Ennis Mart

A similar number of sheep (400) to last week were presented for sale at Ennis Mart on Monday (November 24).

Top lots attracted very strong interest, according to a spokesperson for the mart, with a top call of €139/head being paid out for a pen of 12 butcher lambs weighing 52kg.

The trade was very much similar to the previous week, with lambs in excess of 50kg selling for €124-130/head.

Cull ewes made from €67/head for feeding ewes up to €115/head for heavy ewes.

Kilkenny Mart

Kilkenny Mart’s auctioneer, George Candler, reported an “excellent trade” for sheep at Monday’s sale.

Lambs sold up to €129/head for butcher types. Prices of between €123/head and €127/head were achieved for lambs in excess of 50kg.

Factory lambs on the day sold from €105/head up to €121/head or from €2.40/kg up to €2.52/kg.

Lastly, store lambs made from €75/head for lighter lambs up to €101/head for forward types.