This week's factory sheep trade has seen most outlets move to increase their carcass-weight limit for lambs from 22kg to 22.5kg.

The 0.5kg carcass-weight limit increase is worth approximately €3.95/lamb and will be seen as a positive development for farmers with heavier-type lambs to sell.

Some outlets have reduced their cull ewe price while other outlets have held their price for cull ewes, while at least one smaller outlet has increased its lamb price but not increased its carcass-weight limit.

Sheep trade: Factory prices

Kepak is quoting €7.65/kg plus a 15c/kg QA bonus for lambs, leaving €7.80/kg on offer here again this week.

Kepak has increased its lamb carcass-weight limit to 22.5kg this week.

The Athleague, Co. Roscommon site is quoting €3.80/kg for cull ewes this week.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €7.70/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for lambs, leaving €7.90/kg on offer here again this week.

ICM has also increased its lamb carcass-weight limit to 22.5kg this week.

The Navan, Co. Meath and Camolin, Co. Wexford-based outlets are quoting €4.30/kg for cull ewes this week, down 20c/kg since last Monday.

O'Flynn Meats in Co. Waterford is quoting €5.00/kg for cull ewes and is quoting €8.00/kg for lambs up to 22.5kg carcass-weight.

Kildare Chilling (Dawn Meats Kildare) is quoting €7.70/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for lambs this week, leaving €7.90/kg on offer here.

Dawn Meats Kildare has also increased its lamb carcass-weight limit to 22.5kg.

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. This price offer is up 20c/kg since last Monday but the upper carcass-weight limit remains at 22kg.

The outlet is quoting €4.80/kg for cull ewes this week, back 20c/kg on last week.

Dawn Meats in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo, is quoting €7.70/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for lambs, leaving €7.90/kg on offer here up to the increased carcass-weight limit of 22.5kg this week.