Factory-type lambs were an easier trade at Enniscorthy Mart on Wednesday (July 13), with store lambs being the star of the show.

Speaking to Agriland about the sale on Wednesday, Enniscorthy Mart manager Kevin Murphy said there was a strong turnout.

"We had a much bigger sheep sale this week," he said.

"Heavy cull ewes are setting the trade every week as there is massive demand for those well-fleshed ewes over 80kg, which readily made €2/kg."

"We also had our first brood sale to kick off the season," he added.

"There were 150 hoggets on offer, as well as a few pens of full-mouthed ewes, which met a very strong demand from farmers sourcing replacements."

Some of the sheep that were on offer can be seen in the photos below.

Click on a thumbnail in the gallery (below) to open up a full-size image; once opened you can scroll sideways to see the next picture. Refer to each caption to see details of each lot, including the hammer price.

Heavy lambs weighing 48kg and upwards weren’t as plentiful on the day, but there was still a strong wholesale-butcher demand for those heavier types, Kevin said.

Prices for these ranged from €150/head up to €158/head, or from €100-108 over their weight.

Sample heavy lamb prices:

Factory lambs at 47kg and under, Kevin said, were more plentiful, but the trade wasn’t as strong.

Prices ranged from €130/head up to €150/head for these, or from €90-103 over their weight.

Sample factory lamb prices:

Light stores were more plentiful and they held their own despite the drop in the factory lamb trade, Kevin said.

These were bought by local farmers and ranged from €85/head up to €119/head, or from €55-82 over their weight.

Sample store lamb prices:

Heavy ewes were in shorter supply at Enniscorthy Mart on Wednesday; however, they remain in "massive demand".

The mart manager said that well-fleshed ewes over 80kg made €2/kg, readily, and all of these were bought by wholesale butchers.

Sample heavy cull ewe prices:

Sample store cull ewe prices: