This week's sheep trade sees positive developments for farmers with lambs to sell as factory price offers have increased by approximately 20c/kg.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) has also increased its carcass-weight limit to 21.5kg while other outlets remain at 21kg.

The move to lift prices this week will come as a surprise to most sheep farmers as factory prices were cut last week and rarely ever increase again after price cuts at this time of the year.

Sheep trade: Factory prices

This week, Kepak is quoting €9.50/kg plus a €0.15c/kg Quality Assurance (QA) bonus for spring lambs leaving €9.65/kg on offer here up to 21kg carcass-weight this week.

This price offer is up €0.15c/kg since last Monday.

The Athleague, Co. Roscommon site is quoting €5.00-€5.10/kg for cull ewes this week.

Kepak has no quote for hoggets again this week.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €9.00/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for hoggets, leaving €9.20/kg on offer here up to 23kg carcass-weight.

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

ICM is quoting €9.70/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs, leaving €9.90/kg on offer here up to 21.5kg.

This price offer is up €0.20c/kg since last Monday and the spring lamb carcass-weight limit has also lifted by 0.5kg here.

Kildare Chilling (Dawn Meats Kildare) is quoting €9.00/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for hoggets, leaving €9.20/kg on offer here up to 23kg carcass-weight.

Kildare Chilling is quoting €9.70/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs up to 21kg, leaving €9.90/kg on offer here up to 21kg. This price is up €0.20/kg on last week.

The outlet is quoting €5.10/kg for cull ewes from 35-43kg carcass-weight.

Lighter ewes will be priced on valuation at the outlet.

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €9.60/kg for spring lambs this week.

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