This week's sheep trade sees lamb price offers reduced by up to 35c/kg since last Monday (July 27) but cull ewe prices are generally remaining firm.

Farmers watching the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) sheep kill figures closely will have noticed that the recorded cull ewe kill numbers have increased by up to 50% to almost 147,000 head to date this year.

However, Agriland understands this is primarily due to additional smaller outlets specialising in cull ewes now recording their kill figures in the data rather than that level of an increase in the actual numbers of ewes being slaughtered.

The cumulative sheep kill-to-date this year is running 3% or over 30,000 head below last year, according to the DAFM figures.

Sheep trade: Factory prices

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

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €8.40/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs, leaving €8.60/kg on offer here up to 22kg carcass-weight, down 30c/kg from last week.

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

Kildare Chilling (Dawn Meats Kildare) is quoting €8.35/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs, leaving €8.55/kg on offer here up to 22kg carcass-weight, down 35c/kg on last Monday's offer.

The outlet is quoting €5.20/kg for cull ewes from 25-35kg carcass-weight.

Lighter ewes will be priced on valuation at the outlet.

Dawn Meats in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo, is quoting €8.35/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs, leaving €8.55/kg on offer here up to 22kg carcass-weight.

The Ballyhaunis outlet is quoting €5.20/kg for cull ewes from 25-35kg carcass-weight.

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €8.60/kg for lambs this week.

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