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.
Sample butcher lamb prices:
- 11 lambs weighing 53kg sold for €124/head or €2.34/kg;
- 10 lambs weighing 50kg sold for €122/head or €2.44/kg;
- 24 lambs weighing 58kg sold for €123/head or €2.12/kg;
- Nine lambs weighing 49kg sold for €119/head or €2.43/kg;
- 11 lambs weighing 52kg sold for €123/head or €2.36/kg;
- 16 lambs weighing 52kg sold for €125/head or €2.40/kg.
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.
Sample factory-fit lamb prices:
- 12 lambs weighing 45kg sold for €113/head or €2.51/kg;
- Six lambs weighing 42kg sold for €107/head or €2.54/kg;
- Nine lambs weighing 46kg sold for €111/head or €2.41/kg;
- 10 lambs weighing 46kg sold for €114/head or €2.47/kg;
- Two lambs weighing 48kg sold for €116/head or €2.42/kg;
- Six lambs weighing 43kg sold for €106/head or €2.46/kg;
- 11 lambs weighing 47kg sold for €115/head or €2.44/kg;
- 17 lambs weighing 45kg sold for €104/head or €2.31/kg.
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.
Sample store lamb prices (39-40kg):
- Six lambs weighing 40kg sold for €90/head or €2.25/kg;
- Six (ewe) lambs weighing 39kg sold for €104/head or €2.60/kg;
- 12 lambs weighing 40kg sold for €108/head or €2.70/kg;
- 27 lambs weighing 39kg sold for €106/head or €2.71/kg;
- 13 lambs weighing 40kg sold for €99/head or €2.48/kg.
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.
Sample store lamb prices (34-37kg):
- 12 lambs weighing 36kg sold for €87/head or €2.41/kg;
- Seven lambs weighing 37kg sold for €96/head or €2.59/kg;
- 25 lambs weighing 36kg sold for €98/head or €2.72/kg;
- 14 lambs weighing 34kg sold for €90/head or €2.64/kg;
- 15 lambs weighing 35kg sold for €92/head or €2.62/kg;
- 22 lambs weighing 34kg sold for €96/head or €2.82/kg.
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.
Sample store lamb prices (28-32kg):
- 25 lambs weighing 32kg sold for €91/head or €2.84/kg;
- Four lambs weighing 32kg sold for €83/head or €2.59/kg;
- 14 lambs weighing 29kg sold for €81/head or €3.13/kg;
- Three lambs weighing 28kg sold for €75/head or €2.67/kg;
- 29 lambs weighing 28kg sold for €82/head or €2.92/kg.
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.