Markethill Livestock and Farm Sales sees steady trade for lambs

An entry of 1,280 sheep at Markethill Livestock and Farm Sales on Monday, October 19 returned a steady trade for both heavy and midweight lambs, while store lamb prices strengthened further compared with previous weeks.

Heavy lambs sold to a top price of 625p/kg, with a Poyntzpass producer receiving £150 for a 24kg lamb. A Keady producer secured £145 for a 24kg lamb at 604p/kg, while a Tandragee producer achieved the same return. An Armagh producer received £157 for a 26kg lamb, also selling at 604p/kg. Several pens of overweight lambs sold between £154 and £164 per head, highlighting ongoing demand for heavier sheep.

In the midweight section, a Dungannon producer topped the trade at 690p/kg after receiving £138 for a 20kg lamb. A Loughgall producer sold 20.1kg lambs for £137.50 at 684p/kg, while a Benburb farmer received £137 for 20.2kg lambs at 678p/kg. Other notable sales included a Clogher producer who received £138 for 20.5kg lambs at 673p/kg and a Newtownhamilton producer who sold 20.2kg lambs for £134.50 at 666p/kg.

Store lambs continued to attract exceptionally strong demand, with prices showing a further lift on the week. A Benburb producer recorded the highest return in the light store section, receiving £118 for 14kg lambs at 843p/kg. A Hilltown producer secured £124 for 14.9kg lambs at 832p/kg, while a Markethill producer sold 15.7kg lambs for £130 at 828p/kg. Main demand for light stores ranged from 740p/kg to 828p/kg.

Strong store lambs also sold to a firm trade. A Markethill producer topped the section with 17.1kg lambs making £130.50 at 763p/kg. A Clogher producer received £147.50 for 19.5kg lambs at 756p/kg, while a Jerrettspass producer sold 17.4kg lambs for £131 at 753p/kg. Good-quality stronger stores generally sold between 700p/kg and 746p/kg.

The sale also included 200 cull ewes, which met a steady demand. Well-fleshed ewes sold from £140 to £194 per head, second-quality ewes ranged from £100 to £130, while poorer-quality lots sold between £60 and £90.

Overall, auctioneers reported a solid trade across all classes, with store lambs continuing to be the standout performers on the day.