This week's sheep trade has seen lamb price offers rise for the second consecutive week.

At least one of the smaller outlets in the south of the country has moved its upper lamb carcass-weight limit to 23kg for this week.

The trade positivity for lamb has come earlier than many farmers would have anticipated this year, and is a welcome development for those with forward lambs to sell.

Sheep trade

Kepak is quoting €7.85/kg plus a 15c/kg QA bonus for lambs, leaving €8.00/kg on offer here up to 22.5kg carcass-weight this week.

This price offer is up 10c/kg since last week.

The Athleague, Co. Roscommon site is quoting €4.00/kg for cull ewes again this week.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €7.90/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for lambs, leaving €8.10/kg on offer here this week, up 10c/kg since last week.

The Navan, Co. Meath and Camolin, Co. Wexford-based outlets are quoting €4.30/kg for cull ewes this week.

O'Flynn Meats in Co. Waterford is quoting €5.00/kg for cull ewes and €8.30/kg for lambs.

The outlet has also moved on to 23kg carcass-weight this week, up 0.5kg since last week.

Kildare Chilling (Dawn Meats Kildare) is quoting €7.90/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for lambs this week, leaving €8.10/kg on offer here up to 22.5kg carcass-weight, up 10c/kg since last week.

The outlet is quoting €4.50/kg for cull ewes from 35-45kg carcass-weight again this week.

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €8.00/kg for lambs again this week.

The outlet is quoting €4.80/kg for cull ewes again this week.

Dawn Meats in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo, is quoting €7.90/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for lambs, leaving €8.10/kg on offer here up to 22.5kg this week, up 10c/kg since last week.

The outlet is quoting €4.50/kg for cull ewes over 35kg again this week.