Tullow Mart held its weekly sheep sale on Tuesday (November 10). A strong entry of heavy and store lambs, as well as cull ewes, were presented for sale on the day.

Again, similar to many marts over the past seven-to-10 days, the trade for heavy, butcher lambs was very strong, with a top price of €128/head being achieved for a pen of 10 lambs weighing 54kg.

In general, prices for heavy lambs (49kg+) ranged from €117/head up to €125/head, with a few lots selling above and below this range.

Factory lambs, weighing 43-48kg made from €106/head up to a tops of €118/head. Slightly lighter lambs, in the 41-42kg weight bracket, were met with a flying trade with prices reaching €106-108/head.

Forward-type stores were a belter of a trade at Tullow on Tuesday with some well-presented lambs weighing 39-40kg making up to €104-106/head and selling back to as much as €90/head.

Going back in the weights, prices for lambs weighing 34-37kg were very much dependent on quality, with prices ranging from €80/head up to €99/head.

In many cases, ewe lambs (weighing 34-37kg) sold the strongest, in comparison to their male counterparts, and often broke past the €90/head mark.

Going into the lighter, long-keep stores, prices for these lots were also strong with 30-32kg lambs hitting the €91/head mark. Overall, these lambs sold from €80/head up to €90/head.

Lambs weighing 29kg and less generally made from €70/head up to €82/head, with poorer-quality lots selling below this mark.

Cull ewes

A strong entry of cull ewes were presented for sale at Tullow on Tuesday. Feeding ewes, particularly forward types, were a good trade. Heavy, well-fleshed ewes were also in strong demand.

Prices for heavy ewes generally ranged from €102/head up to €128/head, with the exception of one or two lots making more.

Forward-type feeding ewes regularly broke past the €90/head mark. Overall, prices for these lots traded from €83/head up to €95/head.