Tullow Livestock Mart held its 39th Annual Sheep Breeders Show and Sale on Wednesday (August 5), where the "volume, quality and the tremendous trade for both rings was outstanding".

The mart saw hoggets and spring ewe lambs go through the ring, where a "lively ringside trade" and strong demand for both saw some exceptional prices paid for the top quality sheep.

Genetics is increasingly playing a greater role in sheep breeding decisions.

The impact at mart level is becoming well established, with Tullow Mart manager Eric Driver pointing out how though average weights this year for lambs were down, "breeding shone through".

The reduction in weights was partially put down to drought-induced grass shortages resulting in reduced feed reserves on many farms, especially in the Carlow, Kilkenny and greater south-east region.

Lighter ewe lambs from 38-41kg sold from €190/head up to €270/head.

Lambs weighing around 42kg reached close to €300/head while some 43kg lambs sold for in excess of €300/head.

Heavier ewe lambs met a "thriving trade" as weights from 45-52kg averaged €340-€350/head.

The best quality lambs fetched up to €380/head.

Sample prices from the spring ewe lamb trade include:

A pen of 10 ewe lambs weighing on average 45kg sold for €305/head at 6.78/kg;
A pen of 10 ewe lambs weighing on average 39kg sold for €305/head at €7.82/kg;
A pen of 49kg ewe lambs sold for €340/head at €6.49/kg.

The evidence of the strength of the demand lies in the full clearance of the 120 pens of ewe lambs.

The pace was set from the first lot, where a pen of 45kg lambs sold for €375/head at €8.33/kg.

The best pen of 10 Suffolk-cross ewe lambs was sold by Thomas Doyle, with lambs weighing on average 50ķg sold for €380 head at €7.60/kg.

This earned Doyle the Norman Reid Cup for the highest priced pen of ewe lambs.

2nd place went to Ger Reid, who sold his pen of 10 ewe lambs weighing on average 50kg for €320/head at €6.40/kg.

3rd place went to John Reid, whose pen weighing on average 50kg sold for €330/head at €6.60/kg.

Hoggets

The hogget trade saw no let-up either. There was a larger number than previous years with 130 pens on offer, with customer confidence ringside very noticeable.

The first pen made €300/head with the final pens making between €360-€370/head as demand remained steady throughout.

Lighter hoggets saw prices from €290-€350 with firmer hoggets hitting €360/head.

Heavier hoggets saw prices range from €340-€400/head with the better hoggets fetching up to €430/head, with the top call of €445/head.

The best pen of 10 Suffolk-cross hogget ewes was sold by Donal O'Brian for €445/head, which was also the top call of the day.

2nd place went to George Prendergast who sold his pen of 10 Suffolk-cross hogget ewes for €395/head.

3rd place went to John Redmond whose pen of 10 Suffolk-cross hogget ewes sold for €405/head.

Tullow Mart will hold its second show and sale on August 26, followed by the Cheviot show and sale on Wednesday, September 9.