Prices in the sheep trade this week have continued to increase across the spring lamb, hogget, and ewe quotes from factories.
Irish Country Meats (ICM) showed the biggest jump in prices this week, as it increased its offering for hoggets by 50c/kg.
However, Kildare Chilling leads the way for hogget prices, as they are offering €9.20 for a quality assured (QA) hogget and an increase of 30c/kg since last week.
Spring lamb prices have also risen significantly, as farmers can now expect to be paid up to €9.50/kg for a QA spring lamb.
A QA heavy ewe will be fetching upwards of €4/kg for farmers this week from factories.
Kildare Chilling announced it is not killing today (Tuesday, April 16), while Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) president Sean McNamara said factories are “trying to get killing three to four days a week” but he said “they are not able to get stock”.
Explaining that the weather is “playing hell” with farmers, McNamara added that they are struggling to fatten lambs.
Spring lamb prices
Kildare Chilling is offering €9.40/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs up to 20.5kgs, a total of €9.50/kg for yesterday only (Monday, April 15).
This outlet has increased its quote by 20c/kg, and has also risen the weight it is paying to by 0.5kg.
Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €9.30/kg, plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs up to 20.5kg, a total of €9.50/kg and an increase of 10c/kg.
Hogget and lambs
Kildare Chilling is quoting €9.10/kg, plus a 10c QA bonus up to 23.5kg for hoggets/lambs – a total of €9.20/kg and a rise of 30c/kg.
They are offering €5.00/kg for light hoggets/ lambs under 15kg, or those that are grading from an O2 to P1.
ICM is quoting €8.80/kg, plus a 20c/kg QA bonus, which is a total of €9/kg and an increase of 50c/kg since last week.
Ewe prices
Kildare Chilling has offered €3.70/kg, plus a 10c QA bonus for ewes from 23kg to 35kg, a total of €3.80/kg and an increase of 10c/kg in a week.
For ewes between 35kg to 43kg, Kildare Chilling has offered farmers €4/kg plus a 10c QA bonus, a total of €4.10/kg for a better type ewe and a rise of 30c/kg since last week.
Ewes under 23kg and rams weighing up to 43kg are both being quoted at €2.50/kg by Kildare Chilling.
ICM is currently offering €4/kg for heavy ewes, a rise of 30c/kg since last week.