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.

Sample butcher lamb prices: 

  • 45 lambs weighing 54kg sold for €127/head or €2.35/kg;
  • 16 lambs weighing 53kg sold for €128/head or €2.42/kg;
  • 17 lambs weighing 52kg sold for €127/head or €2.44/kg;
  • Eight lambs weighing 51kg sold for €126/head or €2.47/kg;
  • 10 lambs weighing 50kg sold for €124/head or €2.48/kg.

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

Sample factory lamb prices: 

  • 10 lambs weighing 48kg sold for €116/head or €2.42/kg;
  • 12 lambs weighing 47kg sold for €119/head or €2.53/kg;
  • 19 lambs weighing 46kg sold for €121/head or €2.63/kg;
  • 10 lambs weighing 45kg sold for €113/head or €2.51/kg;
  • 10 lambs weighing 44kg sold for €115/head or €2.61/kg;
  • 11 lambs weighing 43kg sold for €116/head or €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.

Sample store lamb prices:

  • 10 lambs weighing 41kg sold for €106/head or €2.59/kg;
  • 10 lambs weighing 38kg sold for €105/head or €2.76/kg;
  • 11 lambs weighing 37kg sold for €103/head or €2.78/kg;
  • Eight lambs weighing 36kg sold for €98/head or €2.72/kg;
  • 12 lambs weighing 35kg sold for €105/head or €3.00/kg;
  • Nine lambs weighing 32kg sold for €85/head or €2.66/kg.

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