There has been much more life in the mart trade in recent days, with factory agents much more anxious to source lambs, while store lamb buyers are entering the trade strongly.

The trade for finished lambs is also being boosted by the fact that numbers in many marts are relatively tight for the time of year.

Prices for finished lambs have increased anywhere from €2 to €5 per head.

Factory lambs weighing 43kg to 47kg are selling on average from €107 to €114, with butcher interest pushing heavier lots to €120 or higher. With numbers tight, factories are also more willing to drop down in weight.

Lambs weighing 37kg to 39kg and possessing a nice cover of flesh are selling from €90 to €96, with lots weighing 40kg to 41kg selling into the low-€100s.

The trade for these lighter types is being driven on by a sharp increase in the number of store lamb buyers looking to source lambs.

Presentation and quality is having a marked influence on price. Lambs weighing 32kg to 35kg are selling in a wide price differential starting at €70 to €72 for crossbred and plain-quality types and rising to €80 to €86 for tight-wooled lowland lambs.

The cull ewe trade is also reported as being much livelier. Some managers report the trade returning to the levels witnessed three to four weeks ago, while others say it is not that far off those levels.

Fleshed heavy carcase ewes are easily exceeding the €100 mark again and selling to €115 to €120 on average for large-framed lots, while select lots are selling up to and exceeding €130.

Feeding ewes are also meeting increased demand with lowland ewes selling from €70 to €90 for fresh ewes with a good mouth.