Speaking to mart managers over the past week, it is clear that the strong factory prices of late are helping to strengthen the trade ringside.

Many marts have reported price increases for factory lambs, with the majority saying that factory-finished lambs are stronger by €2-4/head in comparison to the previous week.

Over the past seven days, butcher-type lambs have been trading from €111/head up to €118/head, with selected lots breaking past the €120/head mark and going above €125/head in some cases.

Factory-finished lambs have been trading from €98/head up to €112/head, with the majority selling from €103/head up to €110/head mainly, while some have sold up to €114/head.

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Store lambs remain a solid trade. Forward-type store lambs continue to make up close to the €100/head mark.

In general, forward stores have been trading from €92/head up to €97/head, with some lots that have a nice cover of flesh making a bit more.

Stores weighing 35-38kg have been selling from €85/head up to a tops of €92/head.

Stores less than 35kg sold from as high as €85/head. In general, light stores, both lowland and mountain-types, have been trading from €55/head up to €80/head, with select lots as mentioned above making a small bit more.

Cast ewes continue to trade well. Well-fleshed ewes have been trading from €100/head up to €120/head, mainly, with select lots reaching €130-135/head.

Dowra Mart

Mart manager Terry McGovern reported a “huge sale” of sheep on Friday last (September 4); although, he noted that the trade was improved for some classes of sheep and slightly easier for others.

In terms of factory-finished lambs, Terry said that they were met with an improved trade, with prices for these lots stronger by €2-4/head.

Butcher lambs made up to a tops of €122.50/head, while factory-fit lambs sold up to €118.50/head.

In general, factory-fit lamb prices ranged from €102/head up to a tops of €118.50/head.

Store lambs were a slightly easier trade on the day, according to Terry.

Forward store lambs sold up to €98/head for lambs weighing 39kg. In general, prices for these lots ranged from €92/head up to €98/head.

While lambs weighing 30-37kg made from €75/head up to €92/head, with lighter stores making back to €55/head.

Heavy cull ewes topped out at €119/head, with prices for these lots starting out at the €100/head mark.

Sample lamb prices:

  • 10 lambs weighing 50kg sold for €122.50/head;
  • 30 lambs weighing 48kg sold for €121/head;
  • Seven lambs weighing 47kg sold for €118.50/head;
  • 36 lambs weighing 48kg sold for €116/head;
  • 18 lambs weighing 46kg sold for €113/head;
  • 17 lambs weighing 44kg sold for €111/head;
  • 10 lambs weighing 43kg sold for €108/head;
  • 12 lambs weighing 42kg sold for €106/head;
  • 18 lambs weighing 39kg sold for €98/head;
  • 20 lambs weighing 39kg sold for €97/head;
  • 31 lambs weighing 38kg sold for €92.50/head;
  • 16 lambs weighing 37kg sold for €91/head.

Roscommon Mart

Mart manager Maura Quigley reported a strong trade at Roscommon Mart’s show and sale of lambs on Wednesday last (September 2).

Nearly 2,300 sheep were entered on the day, which also included stag ewes.

Maura described the trade as “cracking”, with all types of lambs selling strongly.

Butcher lambs sold from €111/head up to €118/head, while factory-finished lambs made from €98/head up to a tops of €114/head.

Store lambs were a very strong trade, according to Maura. On the day, store lamb prices ranged from €64/head for lambs weighing 38.7kg up to €98/head for lambs weighing nearly 40kg.

Finally, cast ewes sold from €52/head for store ewes up to €106/head for heavy ewes, which was back from the previous week.

Sample butcher and factory-fit lamb prices:

  • 50.1kg: €118/head;
  • 48.4kg: €111/head;
  • 46.1kg: €113/head;
  • 47.1kg: €115/head;
  • 45.9kg: €112/head.

Sample store lamb prices: 

  • 38kg: €98/head;
  • 39.2kg: €95/head;
  • 35.9kg: €91/head.