Butchers’ lambs up €10 a head

Marts: There is a very strong trade for butchers’ lambs in the marts with gains of up to €10/head as buyers for the domestic trade compete for tighter supplies.

Factory lambs, improving at a lower rate, have gained €2- €3/head at the live sales and factory prices have increased by up to 11 cents/kg (4p/lb), following gains on Monday which further strengthened yesterday.

In the live trade a top price of €42 over €/kg was paid at Fermoy Mart for butchers’ lambs which sold for €75 - €95/head giving a return of €25 - €42 over €/kg. Up to €71/head was paid for factory lambs with returns ranging €15 - €27 over.