This week's factory sheep trade sees lamb prices remain largely steady at prices ranging from €8.10-8.30/kg.

Some of the smaller outlets are paying up to 23kg carcase weight for lambs while others are paying up to 22.5kg carcase weight.

Some factory sheep procurement staff have also highlighted larger numbers of lighter-type cull ewes coming out and said that cull ewes under 34kg carcase weight will be priced differently.

Sheep trade: Factory price offers

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

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

O'Flynn Meats in Co. Waterford is quoting €5.00/kg for cull ewes and €8.30/kg for lambs up to 23kg carcass-weight this 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.

The outlet is quoting €4.40/kg for cull ewes from 35-45kg carcass-weight 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.

The outlet is quoting €4.50/kg for cull ewes over 34kg this week.

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €8.00/kg for lambs up to 23kg carcass-weight this week.

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

Kilkenny Mart comment

There were under 400 sheep on offer at Kilkenny Mart today (Monday, November 9).

Auctioneer George Candler said that the trade remained strong with butcher wholesale types peaking at €222/head.

The bulk of lambs in excess of 52kg ranged in price from €200-220/head.

The auctioneer said that there was "a good solid trade for factory type lambs with these peaking at €201 for 49kg.

He said cull ewes were "a bit sharper trade wise compared to last week with a top call of €220".