The live trade remains stable for store lambs and ewes, with some mart managers reporting an easing of €2 to €3/head for factory-fit lambs after the Eid Al-Adha festival.

With farmers bringing out additional numbers of fat lambs in recent weeks to cash in on the strong buying activity from factory agents, wholesalers and live shippers, mart managers are reporting a tighter supply of factory-fit lambs this week.

Indications from several sheep producers are that they will not have any significant volume of lambs ready for sale in the coming weeks, which will hopefully help to keep a floor in the mart trade.

Prices for factory-fit lambs are holding around €100 to €105 for 50kg to 53kg, with 47kg to 49kg lambs selling from €92 to €102.

Butcher-type lambs are getting scarce in western and northern parts, making buyers look to compete for a lighter than normal lamb.

Wet weather has helped demand for store lambs, with more buyers appearing in marts over the past week.

With good grass supplies on farms, but difficult ground conditions making cattle a less attractive option, farmers are looking for lighter store lambs to best utilise grass.

Stores weighing 35kg to 39kg are making €32 to €36 over, with 32kg to 34kg making €33 to €40 over. Prices for breeding sheep are wide-ranging and extremely variable.

Hoggets are selling anywhere from €125 to €202 at special sales. Ewe lambs are selling from €100 to €130. Breeding ewes are selling from €110 to €150.