A total of 500 sheep were presented for sale at Kilkenny Mart on Monday (December 7), according to the mart’s auctioneer, George Candler.

He noted that the trade was similar to last week; however, store lambs were a much “sharper trade” than the week before.

On the day, lambs peaked at €129/head, while cull ewes sold up to a substantial €147/head.

Looking at the trade in more detail, butcher lambs sold from €116/head up to €129/head or from €2.35/kg up to €2.48/kg.

Meanwhile, factory lambs made from €108/head up to €121/head or from €2.50/kg up to €2.70/kg.

As mentioned already, George noted a much sharper trade for store lambs than the previous week, with prices for these lots ranging from €75/head for long-keep stores up to €106/head for forward feeding lambs. One standout price for a pen of store lambs was €105/head (or €3.00/kg) for a pen of lambs weighing 35kg.

Lastly, cull ewes sold from €50/head for store ewes up to a top price of €147/head for heavy, well-fleshed ewes.