On Monday (February 1), AgriLand made the trip down to Ennis Mart for its weekly sheep sale to see what the trade was like and to chat to the mart’s manager, Martin McNamara.

A steady number of 300 sheep were on offer, which included mainly butcher and store hoggets and cull ewes. Two weeks prior to Monday’s sale, the mart witnessed one of its biggest-ever sheep sales, with just over 500 on offer.

The trade on Monday was improved on the previous week according to Martin, with prices stronger by €4-5/head across the board.

Giving his thoughts on trade, Martin said: “Prices recovered this week by €4-5/head on last week. The top price we saw on Monday was €148/head.

Factory lambs are scarce. We are seeing more of those butcher lambs here and they sold strongly on Monday, with prices, generally, ranging from €141/head up to €145/head for 50-52kg hoggets.

“Stores were a good trade, with the general run of prices for them types going from €110/head up to €120/head for those 38-42kg stores.

“Cull ewes were also a good trade. The general run of prices for the culls was from €80/head up to €100/head, with heavy ewes making up to €120/head.”

Comparing the trade at present to this time last year, Martin added: “Compared to this time last year, I suppose, prices last week were about €10/head stronger on the same day 12 months ago.

While on Monday, I’d say prices were stronger by €14-15/head stronger than this time last year.

“Generally, sheep prices are running the best part of €20/head more on this time last year.”