Strong factory agent activity has resulted in some brisk sales in recent days for tighter numbers.

Heavy butchers’ hoggets are only slightly improved, with some mart managers saying that prices have held steady, while others are reporting prices to have edged up just slightly. Those over 50kg are selling from €110 to €115, with some prices of over €116 recorded. However, numbers on offer are low.

Factory agent activity is strong, maybe a little better than last week.

Hoggets from 45kg to 48kg are selling mainly from €103 to €109/head for average types, with better-conformed and well-fleshed types making over €110/head. Those lacking flesh are a slower sell and prices of €93 to €96/head are common.

Store demand is fairly steady and a slight bit weaker in some areas. Hoggets from 37kg to 42kg are selling mainly from €84 to €87/head. Those from 34kg to 37kg selling mainly from €75 to €85/head.

Light store hoggets are a little more variable in terms of prices, but demand is said to be fairly steady, with 30kg to 35kg hoggets making from €68 to €75/head.

Cull ewes are selling from €10 to €20 with the weight, with some top-quality culls making from €105 to €125.

In-lamb ewes carrying 1.5 to 1.7 lambs are selling mainly from €120 to €180, with better-quality second- and third-crop ewes fetching the highest prices. There have been some small numbers of ewes with lambs at foot and prices for these are ranging from €170 to €200.

In the North, lamb quotes are running at £4.05/kg to £4.10/kg or from €4.91/kg to €4.97/kg including VAT.