The standout trade at last Saturday’s sheep sale in Baltinglass Mart was for store lambs and cull ewes. Tom Coleman of Baltinglass Mart said there has been a growing number of customers looking for store lambs in recent weeks, with good grass supplies attracting some buyers who would not normally be purchasing until later in the season.

Entries of hill-bred store lambs are also climbing. A high percentage of these were lambs weighing in the region of 28kg to 34kg, with prices ranging from €2.20/kg to €2.25/kg for Cheviot types and continental crosses rising to €2.30/kg and as high as €2.40/kg, or into the mid €70s for the best-quality lots. Stores weighing 35kg to 40kg sold upwards of €2/kg for plainer types to €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg for better-quality lots.

Tom reported fleshed factory lambs weighing 46kg to 50kg selling in general from €92 to €100, with a selection of top-quality lots and ewe lambs selling from €105 to €110. The cull ewe trade has been flying in recent weeks and Saturday was no different.

Fleshed ewes easily exceeded the €100 mark, with large-framed ewes topping €120 on a number of occasions and selling to €127. Feeding ewes sold in general from €65 to €80. Commission rates are €1.50 to the buyer and 2% to the seller.