Factory lambs met with an easier trade in Mountbellew Mart on Saturday, according to the Mart Manager Marianne Higgins.

Higgins said there was a smaller number of sheep on offer compared to the previous week and as a result the demand for factory lambs was a little easier. The lots traded from €2.06-2.09/kg.

However, she said that store lambs met with a strong and brisk trade, with prices ranging from €72-91.50 each.

Sample lamb prices: 
  • 35kg – €86.50 or €2.47/kg
  • 37.5kg – €87 or €2.32/kg
  • 47kg – €98 or €2.09/kg
  • 52kg – €100 or €1.92/kg
  • 46.5kg – €96 or €2.06/kg
  • 35kg – €81 or €2.31/kg
  • 43.5kg – €90 or €2.07/kg
  • 43kg –  €102 or €2.37/kg
  • 43kg –  €92 or €2.14/kg
  • 34kg – €84 or €2.47/kg

The Mart Manager said stag ewes met with a similar trade to the previous week, with customers present for the store ewes present. These lots sold from €70-108 each.

Raphoe Mart

There was a large entry of sheep on offer in Raphoe Mart on Monday, according to the Mart Manager Anne Harkin.

Harkin said there were plenty of buyers present for the sheep on offer, with butcher lambs selling to a top price of €135 (€2.25/kg) and factory lambs made up to €2.55/kg.

Excellent quality ewe lambs sold to a top price of €134 each, she said, while the other lots on offer sold from €2.64-2.73/kg.

Harkin also said there was a good steady trade for store lambs, with 40kg lambs selling for €87, while lighter lots (34kg) made €75.

She also added that fat ewes sold from €65-110 each, while there was a small entry of hogget ewes on offer and these ewes traded from €145-160 each.

Carnew Mart

There was 3,800 sheep on offer in Carnew Mart on Thursday, according to the Mart Manager David Quinn.

Quinn said there was strong demand for all classes, but particularly for ram lambs destined for the export market.

He said that prices remained on par with the previous weeks sale, but there was some increase in the demand for ewe lambs which traded from €75-115 each.

Butcher and factory lambs sold from €93-110 each, he said, while store lambs weighing more than 35kg sold from €77-91 each, while the lighter lots (<35kg) made €65-83 each.

Quinn also said that breeding hogget ewes traded from €130-175 each, while aged breeding ewes made €90-135 each.