There was an entry of about 400 sheep at the Milford Breed Society show and sale in Milford Mart on Monday evening. Mart manager John Stewart said that there were about 150 hogget ewes and 250 ewe lambs, along with rams.

In terms of the trade, he said it was stronger than last year, but he added that this was partly down to the fact that the quality had improved, with farmers in the area breeding better-quality ewe lambs and hoggets for the sale.

At the top of the market, the first-prizewinning pair of hogget ewes sold for €350 each, with the first-prized pen, a group of six hoggets, selling for €285 each. The general run of hogget ewes sold for around €200 to €250/head.

John added that buyers were present from all over the country, with farmers from Galway, Mayo and Cavan sourcing sheep at the sale.

The majority of those on offer were ewe lambs, which sold mainly from €120 to €140/head, but John added that some sold from €205 to €210/head at the top of the market for very fancy types.

The majority of ewe lambs on offer were bought to store for the winter and to be bred this time next year. There were some rams on offer, which sold from €300 to €350/head, but they were average-quality types.

Commission rates are 2% to the buyer and seller.