Sheep marts: Store lamb trade leading the way, as factory-fit lamb prices peak at €95/head

Mart managers across the country are reporting a steady trade across all sheep classes, with the demand for store lambs on the rise.

However, the same cannot be said for factory-fit lambs, with prices back €1.00-2.00/head again this week; prices for these lots are ranging from €90/head up to €95/head.

Over the past week, good-quality ewe lambs were a lively trade, with prices ranging from €100/head up to €140/head for lambs weighing between 46kg and 51kg.

Furthermore, lighter store lambs were a lively trade, with prices ranging from €68/head up to €85/head.

Tuam Mart

Tuam Mart held its weekly sheep sale on Tuesday last, October 1. There was a good trade for hoggets and breeding ewes, according to the mart manager, Marian Devane.

There was an active trade for ewe and wether lambs, with prices ranging from €48/head up to €142/head. Furthermore, cast ewes made up to €115/head.

Moreover, breeding ewes made up to €238/head, with hoggets achieving a top price of €238/head.

Blessington Mart

Some 3,458 sheep were on offer at Blessington Mart’s weekly sheep sale on Tuesday last, October 1.

There was a good trade for all types of ewe and store lambs; however, prices for factory-fit lambs were back on last week, according to the mart manager, John Doyle.

Cheviot ewe lambs made from €80/head up to €140/head. Furthermore, store lambs over 35kg sold from between €70/head and €84/head.

Moreover, factory-fit lambs made from €86/head up to €95/head.

Raphoe Mart

There was a large entry of sheep on offer at Raphoe Mart on Monday last, September 30.

There was a brisk trade throughout all sheep classes, according to the mart manager, Anne Harkin.

Furthermore, heavy ewes sold from €50/head up to €120/head.

Dowra Mart

A slightly smaller number of sheep were presented at Dowra Mart’s weekly sale on Friday last, October 4.

Store lambs and good-quality ewe lambs were met with a strong trade, with plenty of buyers for these lots, according to the mart manager, Patsy Smyth.

Furthermore, the best of the ewe lambs made from €80/head up to €95/head.

The good-quality store lambs made from between €70/head and €82/head. Moreover, lighter pens of stores made from between €45/head and €65/head.

Factory-fit lambs were back €2.00-3.00/head on last week. The best of the hogget ewes made from €140/head to a top price of €170/head.

The heavy cull ewes made from €85/head to a top price of €108/head, with feeding ewes making from €50/head up to €80/head.

Baltinglass Mart

Baltinglass Mart’s weekly sheep sale took place on Saturday last, October 5.

There was a very good trade across all the sheep classes, according to the mart manager, Joe Kinsella.

Furthermore, hoggets made from €140/head up to €175/head, with breeding ewe prices ranging from €108/head up to €150/head. Cast ewes made from €60/head up to €97/head.