Despite some marts deferring sales last week due to rising Covid-19 cases, the marts which did go ahead saw a great trade across the board at sheep sales.

Top prices of €140-146/head were seen for fat lambs at many sales last week and this week it looks like the trade is on the rise once again, with Brian Hogan of Athenry Mart reporting a top price of €155/head for heavy lambs yesterday, Monday, January 11.

Factory lambs traded to highs of €140/head but, in general, many of these sold from as far back as €122/head and made up to €135/head.

Forward store lambs were a flying trade last week, with highs of €120-122/head reported for 41-43kg lambs. Poorer-quality or slightly lighter lambs (39-40kg) made from €105/head to €112-115/head mainly.

Light stores are becoming very scarce but the ones on offer sold strongly. It was noted by some mart managers that light stores made upwards of €100/head.

The cull ewe trade has really kicked on since the turn of the year. Highs of €140-145/head have been seen at some marts. However, in the main, prices of €115/head up to €130/head have generally been reported for heavy culls over the past week.

Mountbellew Mart

Mountbellew Mart held its first sheep sale of the new year on Saturday, January 9. A good number of sheep were presented for sale on the day, with great prices achieved overall.

Butcher and factory lambs presented for sale at the Galway-based mart on Saturday were met with a flying trade, with top prices reaching €149/head.

The sale was dominated by factory-fit lambs, with a small proportion of the sale made up of store lambs.

One standout price for a pen of store lambs was €106/head (or €3.21/kg) for a pen of wether lambs weighing 22kg.

There was also a good turn out of cull ewes which also saw a strong trade, with prices reaching €145/head for a pen of good heavy ewes.

Dowra Mart

A big sale of sheep was presented for sale at Dowra Mart on Friday, January 8, with 860 sold on the day.

Terry McGovern reported a big entry of butcher and factory lambs, with prices for these lots stronger by €5-10/head in comparison to pre-Christmas levels. A top price of €144.50/head was achieved for a pen of fat lambs weighing 55kg.

Store lambs were also reportedly dearer than before Christmas with a top price of €111.50/head achieved for a pen of 10 lambs weighing 41.5kg.

A big entry of cull ewes and rams was on offer at Dowra on Friday last, with the trade also improved for these types.

In-lamb ewe hoggets and ewes made from €180/head up to a top price of €211/head for a pen of seven in-lamb hoggets.