Mart managers have said that there continues to be strong farmer demand for stores right across the country, with increased demand on last year. This is helping farmers with under-fleshed and light lambs.

Factory agents have been buying over the past week, with a number of factories unable to slaughter lambs this week, which is having an impact at marts, with some mart managers reporting reduced factory agent activity and a slight easing of prices.

Heavy butchers’ lambs over 50kg have been a slightly stronger trade, as prices recorded in the MartWatch system have edged up slightly, ranging mainly from €95 to €100, which is on par with two weeks ago. Some marts are reporting prices of up to €102 to €103/head for top-quality heavy lambs.

With weather resulting in poor grazing conditions along the west coast, this is having an impact on numbers, with slightly larger entries being recorded. Factory agent activity has reduced in recent days, which is also having an impact on prices.

Factory lambs from 45kg to 50kg are selling mainly from €87 to €93, with prices over €95/head recorded. Lambs from 42kg to 44kg range from €85 to €88/head, which is back by €1 to €2/head on last week.

The store lamb trade remains strong, with more farmer buyer activity recorded compared with last year. The average 40kg store is selling mainly from €77 to €82/head and up to €84/head at the top of the market.

Lighter store lambs from 35kg to 37kg are selling mainly from €76 to €78/head, depending on quality, with some sales seeing prices of up to €80/head being paid. Lighter types from 30kg to 35kg are selling mainly from €65/head to €72/head.

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