In the main prices are holding solid for store lambs. Some mart managers are reporting large entries of lambs to sales are not being matched by demand and prices easing by €5/head on the previous week.

Recent sales have shown store lambs to be trading at €2/kg to €2.30/kg, with premium prices being paid for ewe lambs. In the marts, 32kg to 35kg store lambs are making €73 to €77, or €41 to €42 over. Lambs weighing 38kg to 40kg are making €80 to €83 per head, or €42 to €43 over. Ewe lambs are receiving more attention as farmers start thinking about the upcoming breeding season, good-quality ewe lambs are making premiums of over €10/head compared with their male counterparts. Horny lambs weighing 28kg to 30kg are selling from €50 to €55, or €22 to €25 over.

Prices for factory-fit lambs are steady, despite base quotes being pulled by 10c/kg this week to €4.50/kg. Lambs weighing 44kg to 46kg are selling for €94 to €96 per head, or €50 over. Lambs weighing 47kg to 50kg are selling from €96 to €99, or €49 over. In sales where butcher activity is strong, lambs weighing 51kg to 55kg are making €104 to €108, or €53 over.

Entries of breeding ewes and hoggets remain small. Good-quality hoggets are selling for €170 to €180/head. First- and second-crop ewes are making from €140 to €160/head, with third- and fourth-crop ewes selling from €90 to €120/head. The cull ewe trade is keeping a floor under prices for older breeding ewes.

Some marts are reporting cull ewe prices easing €10 per head. Very well-fleshed ewes are selling at €130/head, while average fleshed ewes are trading at €110 to €125. Ewes in need of more feeding are selling for €90 to €100 and lighter framed ewes are selling for €60 to €80.