Anne Harkin of Raphoe Mart reported a super trade for spring lambs, with prices topping €282/head for 50kg.
The Donegal-based mart held its spring lamb show and sale yesterday (Monday, March 29) and it turned out to be a cracker.
The first prize-winning spring lambs sold for €282/head and were purchased by Willam Doherty, a butcher from Clonmany. The lambs were exhibited by Johnny Gibbons.
Second prize-winning lambs, which were brought forward for sale by Donal Mullaney sold for €278/head and were snapped up by McCarron Butchers of Raphoe.
Lastly, the third prize-winning lambs, which were exhibited by John Gallagher were also purchased by McCarron Butchers of Raphoe.
180 spring lambs were on offer at yesterday’s sale, with the trade the best ever seen at Raphoe for spring lambs, according to Anne.
Looking at the spring lamb trade in more detail at Raphoe yesterday, 33-36kg lambs sold from €120/head up to €150/head.
While 37-39 lambs typically made from €150/head up to €180/head. 40-50kg lambs moved at prices ranging from €180/head up to €220/head.
Elsewhere, the hogget trade on the day was also strong, with prices for all types of hoggets ranging from €110/head up to €172/head, according to Anne.
Cull ewes and ewes with lambs at foot also shone brightly at Raphoe, with heavy cull ewes selling up to a high of €182.
Ewes with one lamb at foot sold from €140/unit up to €200/unit, while ewes with two lambs at foot sold from €220/unit up to €320/head.
Anne noted one exceptional price of €370 for one ewe with two smashing lambs.
Speaking to Agriland after the conclusion of the sale, Anne said: “I’ve never seen as good a trade for spring lambs here at Raphoe ever before.
It was unbelievable. The butchers were very active at the sale and paid some exceptional prices for quality spring lambs.
“Sheep are very scarce around us here and that’s helping to keep prices strong. We also saw a great trade for heavy cull ewes and ewes with lambs at foot.
“Farmers were very active for ewes with lambs and, again, some exceptional prices were seen for these lots.”