Sheep
Mart managers have been reporting an improved spring lamb trade so far this week, with prices improving substantially at some sales.
Records continue to be broken at sales this week, with spring lambs at sales in marts breaching the €200 mark on a number of occasions.
Another super trade was seen for the spring lamb trade at Tullow Mart once again this week with prices reaching a top of €214.
Like last week, the spring lamb market continues to show some green shoots of recovery.
For another week, the spring lamb trade continues to remain difficult and processors are slow to let their grasp on the market ease.
After a week of price increases, farmers remain firmly in the driving seat when it comes to hogget prices this week.
Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the lamb factory trade last week, tight supplies look to be working in the farmers' favour.
Spring lamb prices have remained unchanged for another week with most factories holding prices at last week's level.
Factory lambs met with an easier trade in Mountbellew Mart on Saturday, according to the Mart Manager Marianne Higgins.
Spring lamb prices have taken another knock this week, with most factories now operating off a base price of 450c/kg for new season lambs.
The spring lamb trade has steadied somewhat, but procurement managers are still worried about the impact of last week's Brexit vote.
Spring lamb prices drop to €5/kg, with a number of procurement managers citing difficult trading conditions as the reason for the fall.
The mart spring lamb trade was weakened considerably in a week, with prices back by €5-8/head in the sales ring.
