Prices are quite steady around the country overall, with demand slightly improved.
There is little to no change in average prices, but there is a little more bite at some mart sales in recent days.
Heavy butchers’ lambs over 50kg are selling mainly from €105 to €107 at the top of the market.
Demand for these is said to be quite firm, with little to no change in prices reported.
Numbers on offer are said to be low at many sales overall, with higher numbers moving straight to the factory.
Factory lambs from 45kg to 50kg are selling mainly from €98 to €104, with the vast majority of slaughter-fit lambs selling for around €100/head, according to mart managers.
Those from 42kg to 44kg are a firm trade also, despite recent factory price pressure.
These are selling mainly from €95 to €100/head. However, there are some plainer under-fleshed types making under €95/head at some sales.
Demand for store lambs is strong, with plenty of buyer activity at most ringsides.
Demand is being helped by positive grass supplies, with less pressure on farmers to save more winter forage.
There are also some beef farmers spreading risk and purchasing lambs.
The average 40kg store is selling mainly from €85 to €92/head, with slightly lighter store lambs from 35kg to 37kg selling mainly from €80 to €87/head, depending on quality.
There are lighter types from 30kg to 35kg coming out that are selling mainly from €77/head to €80/head.
Cull ewes are a firm trade also, with the majority of fleshed ewes making from €120 to €125 and some marts are reporting prices of up to €130/head paid for top-quality heavy ewes.
The majority of cull ewes are selling from €100 to €120, with plain-quality types selling from €60 to €80/head.