This week's sheep trade sees prices remain on par with last week as tight lamb supplies is helping to keep a base on factory price offers.

Farmers are busy at fieldwork in the current spell of good weather and are slower to draft lambs off.

However, some factory agents have also reported that average carcass weights are running below current upper industry weight limits, suggesting there may not be as may heavier-type lambs available.

The average number of lambs being presented in each lot at some factories is smaller than expected, with one factory agent telling Agriland the average number of lambs presented by each farmer at one factory outlet last week was just over 16 lambs/farmer.

Sheep trade: Factory prices

This week, Kepak has no official quote for spring lambs.

The Athleague, Co. Roscommon site is quoting €5.00/kg plus a €0.20/kg Quality Assurance (QA) bonus for heavy cull ewes over 30kg carcass-weight.

This leaves €5.20/kg on offer here for these, up 20c/kg on last week.

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 up to 21.5kg carcass-weight.

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.

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 €5.00/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 €8.80/kg for spring lambs this week.

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