This week's sheep trade is largely firm overall with lamb price offers holding at the same level as last week in most cases.

Cull ewe prices have largely also held firm, apart from one key outlet where they have taken a big hit, dropping by 60c/kg on last week.

Some lamb procurement staff have told Agriland that the top-spec lambs ticking specific boxes for carcass weight, flesh, and confirmation are getting more "scarce" as market outlets remain positive for lambs of these specifications.

This talk of "scarce" choice lambs has not materialised in the form of a rise in official price quotes, but can be seen as a positive trade indicator for farmers with 'top specification' lambs to sell.

Sheep trade: Factory prices

New to the weekly sheep trade price quotes on Agriland this week is O'Flynn Meats in Co. Waterford. The outlet is quoting €5.00/kg flat for cull ewes and €8.00/kg flat for lambs.

Kepak is quoting €7.65/kg plus a 15c/kg QA bonus for lambs, leaving €7.80/kg on offer here up to 22kg carcass-weight. This price is the same as last Monday's offer.

The Athleague, Co. Roscommon site has cut its cull ewe price quote by 60c/kg for this week. Kepak is quoting €3.80/kg and €3.90/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 up to 22kg carcass-weight.

The Navan, Co. Meath and Camolin, Co. Wexford-based outlets are quoting €4.50/kg for cull ewes this week, the same price as last week but back 50c/kg on three weeks ago.

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 22kg carcass-weight again this week.

The Mayo-based outlet has no official price quote for cull ewes this week.

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 up to 22kg carcass-weight.

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

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €7.80/kg for lambs again this week.

The outlet is quoting €5.00/kg for cull ewes this week, back 10c/kg on last week.