This week's sheep trade sees the first outlets move to increase carcass-weight limits for spring lambs to 22kg.

Prices are remaining firm for lambs with cull ewe price offers up by 20c/kg at some outlets since last Monday (July 13).

Demand from factories is remaining strong with the cumulative sheep kill-to-date this year down 3% or almost 37,000 head below this time last year.

Just under 1.09 million sheep have been slaughtered to date this year.

Sheep trade: Factory prices

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €8.80/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs, leaving €9.00/kg on offer here again this week.

ICM has increased its carcass-weight limit for spring lambs to 22kg, a rise of 0.5kg on last week.

The Navan, Co. Meath and Camolin, Co. Wexford-based outlets are quoting €5.00/kg for cull ewes again this week.

ICM is quoting €7.80/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for hoggets, leaving €8.00/kg on offer here up to 23kg carcass-weight.

Kepak has no official quote for spring lambs again this week.

The Athleague, Co. Roscommon site is quoting €5.00/kg plus a €0.10/kg Quality Assurance (QA) bonus for heavy cull ewes over 30kg carcass-weight.

This leaves €5.10/kg on offer here for these, down 10c/kg on last week.

Kildare Chilling (Dawn Meats Kildare) is quoting €8.80/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs, leaving €9.00/kg on offer here up to 21.5kg carcass-weight.

The outlet is quoting €5.20/kg for cull ewes from 35-43kg carcass-weight, up 20c/kg on last week.

Dawn Meats Kildare is quoting €4/kg for rams this week.

Lighter ewes will be priced on valuation at the outlet.

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €8.80/kg for spring lambs this week.

The outlet is quoting €5.30/kg for cull ewes again this week.