Hogget ewes are to the fore in this week’s sheep sales, while the demand for all classes of lambs also remains high due to strengthening factory prices with most plants paying 460c/kg.
There were 3,500 sheep on offer in Blessington on Monday reported the Mart Manager, with plenty of buyers for store lambs.
“The sheep trade is still flying and is meeting a good overall trade with plenty of fellas still buying store lambs,” he said.
The store lambs were still flying with prices for these lots ranging from €65-86/head depending on weight, said John Doyle.
Factory and butcher lambs also remained in strong demand with the top lots selling for €95 and €106 respectively.
There was also a strong demand for hogget ewes he said, with lots generally selling from €180-205/head while the lesser types sold for €160/head.
There was also a smaller selection of aged ewes on offer and the hammer fell on these lots for €140-145/head. Ewe lambs also went well, he added, with the top lot selling for €163/head.
Gort Mart
Sheep also met with a strong trade in Gort Mart reported David Curley. There was 150 lambs on offer on Wednesday with the factory lambs selling for €2.08-2.13/kg.
The store lambs also met with a continued strong demand with the hammer falling on lots for €2.18/kg in the Galway venue, he said.
There was also a selection of hogget ewes on offer and these sold from €140-170/head. Second crop ewes made €133/head while third crops ewes sold for €118/head, he said.
Enniscorthy Mart Manager Tommy Harrington said that lamb price is remaining stable in the Southeast.
The Wexford venue had a big sale on Tuesday, he said, with Butcher and factory lambs selling from €2.00-2.07/kg.
The store lamb trade also remains buoyant with lots of buyers around the ring, he said. Store lambs made from €1.90-2.20/kg.
There was 1,700 sheep on offer in Tuam mart on Tuesday and the sale went very well reported Mart Manager Marion Devane.
Hogget ewes sold to a top price of €206/head, while lots generally ranged from €180-190/head she said.
There was also a selection of Scotch hogget ewes on offer and the hammer fell on these lots for €120/head.
Older breeding ewes also met with strong demand and sold from €96-178/head, she reported.
Factory lambs made €2.02-2.04/kg while butcher lots sold for €1.96-2.06/kg. Store lambs also remained in favor with lots selling from €1.80-2.33/kg.
