Last Monday evening’s sheep sale at Kenmare Mart saw 1,200 lambs on offer. Manager Dan McCarthy said: “The lamb trade has started off lively, with plenty of demand from farmers up the country. Hopefully, this will continue, as there are plenty of quality store lambs coming out. Three-quarters of the lambs would have been lowland types or crosses, with the rest hill lambs, but that will change over the next few weeks.”

Suffolk-bred lambs were making €2.05/kg to €2.15/kg, with the heavier lambs back to €2.05/kg. The rougher crossbred lambs off the hill sold for between €1.90/kg to €2/kg and Scotch lambs were making €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg.

While lambs dominated the numbers, Dan said trade was strong for other sheep also.

“Hogget prices were flying. Mountain hogget ewes were making €90 to €120/head, with lowland hoggets making €120 to €150 /head. There were very few cull ewes, but what was there met strong demand. Around €1/kg or maybe a shake over or under it was the general run.”

Having held evening sales recently, these will revert to morning sales from the August bank holiday to cope with growing numbers. Entry is 40c/head and commission rates are €1 each to the buyer and the seller.