Sheep
The number of spring lambs being presented for slaughter continues to remain strong in processing plants around the country.
Figures from the Department of Agriculture show that some 67,458 sheep were processed last week, a drop of only 2,761 head compared to the previous week.
After reaching a peak of 78,428 head during the week ending August 19, weekly sheep supplies are showing some signs of returning to more normal levels.
Spring lambs have been creeping upwards over the last number of weeks and peaked at 42,920 head during the week ending June 17 - a climb of 12,341 head or 40.4% when compared to the previous week.
Although Easter has passed, the hogget trade continues to remain strong in processing plants around the country.
Official figures show that over 2.91 million sheep were slaughtered in Ireland up to the week ending December 24, 2017.
Lamb prices are up 10-15c/kg this week, after quotes dropped below €5/kg last week. Today's base prices currently stand at 490-505c/kg.
Some factories have dropped spring lamb quotes by another 25c/kg this week; meaning that in just two weeks, factories have slashed lamb prices by up to 45c/kg.
Spring lamb quotes have dropped again this week and some factories have acted to knock up to 20c/kg of prices.
Spring lamb supplies have eased somewhat in recent weeks, as farmers have opted to hold onto their lambs rather than offloading them at low factory prices.
Some improvement has been witnessed in the spring lamb trade and factory buyers have opted to increase quotes by 5-15c/kg.
The total number of sheep slaughtered in Northern Ireland during 2017 to date is up 4% on the corresponding period in 2016
The number of sheep slaughtered in Department of Agriculture approved export plants is edging towards 2.6m head, figures from Bord Bia show.
Lamb prices are showing the first signs of dropping as two processors have opted to drop the quoted price for this week by 5c/kg.
Some 1,076 fewer sheep were slaughtered in approved export plants last week, figures from the Department of Agriculture show.
This increase represents a return to prices offered in the corresponding week in October after a recent drop in prices
The number of spring lambs slaughtered at Department of Agriculture approved sheepmeat export plants has dropped 13% in the space of a week.
The number of sheep slaughtered in Department of Agriculture approved sheepmeat exports have increased significantly in recent weeks.
Higher factory prices are likely to have played a role in the increase in spring lamb slaughterings seen at sheep factories last week.
The number of cast ewes and rams slaughtered in Department of Agriculture approved plants jumped 19% last week.
The number of spring lambs slaughtered last week fell on the back of lower prices, according to the IFA's John Lynskey.
The hogget season appears to be drawing close, with slaughterings back 38% during the week ending May 30 compared to the week before.
The number of sheep processed at approved sheepmeat export plants continues to tighten, figures from the Department's sheep kill show.
