Darren Carty

Opening prices for quality assured lambs are in the region of €9/kg, while group lambs are trading from €9.10/kg to €9.20/kg.

Some marts have seen prices increase by another €3 to €5/head on average, while others recorded a steady trade, with agents more coy in their purchasing activity.

Reports indicate that lambs are tighter in supply, leaving factory agents struggling to source their required numbers.

Weather conditions are ideal in many parts of the country while for others a growing soil moisture deficit is slowing grass growth.

The first breeding ewe sale of the 2026 season witnessed keen demand from early lamb producers seeking strong hoggets or ewes

Factory agents remain determined to reduce prices but are facing the challenge of tighter supplies and more competition in the market

Factory agents have been more active in recent days, but supplies of fleshed lambs are tight and prices have firmed by €1 to €3/head.

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said that his position is clear entering in to European Council negotiations and he will be pushing to get an agreed position on the active farmer definition

The results of a large-scale survey showed that only 34% of farmers surveyed had five items highlighted by Teagasc as key to operating an efficient enterprise.

The 2026 wool season clip has already been pre-booked, with demand increasing and three customers purchasing.