Factories have moved this week to try to take control of the trade and pull sheep prices back.

As can be seen in the quotes table (right), Kepak Athleague and Ballon Meats are the only plants quoting for hoggets. Their base quotes for today (Thursday) have reduced 20c/kg to €5.50/kg and €5.60/kg respectively.

The standoff that emerged over the last week between factory agents and sellers intensified in many cases towards the end of the week and over the weekend.

Some plants passed up the opportunity to purchase hoggets, while others paid €6.00/kg to €6.10/kg to secure sales.

This trend was maintained for the start of the week, with hoggets still trading yesterday (Wednesday) from €5.80/kg to €6.00/kg.

Quality, carcase weight and numbers on offer are all having an influence on price, with some plants reported as significantly reducing purchasing activity for heavy hoggets killing over 24kg carcase weight. Some sellers point to a pull on price as a tactic to attract more hoggets on to the market.

Factory agents say a lull in the trade and poor demand for hoggets is to blame, but at the same time remained very active over the weekend to source greater numbers.

New labelling issues on sheep imported from the north for direct slaughter are also limiting the supply of northern sheep in the market.

Numbers exported south last week fell significantly to 4,509 head, with reports from agents in the North claiming many southern plants have steered away from purchasing this week.

Northern quotes for hoggets have reduced 10p/kg to £3.90/kg, or the equivalent of €5.70/kg, including VAT.

Spring lamb quotes are £4.50/kg, or the equivalent of €6.57/kg, including VAT. More numbers are reported as coming on to the market this week.

IFA National Sheep Committee chairman John Lynskey said hogget numbers are tighter in the last week, with factories paying up to €6.00/kg for quality lots.

He said spring lamb numbers remain scarce, with prices of €6.70/kg paid.

Variable lamb trade: The spring lamb trade is variable. Numbers are too low to allow a switch-over, with most plants still concentrating on hoggets.

Kildare Chilling is quoting €6.40/kg, plus a 10c/kg quality assurance (QA) bonus, while Moyvalley is quoting €6.50/kg. No other plants are quoting in the price table for today.

Ewe price pull: Ewes are not immune to factories attempting to pull prices back.

The two ICM plants have dropped ewe quotes 30c/kg to €3.00/kg. Kildare maintains its quote of €3.20/kg and 10c/kg QA bonus, while Ballon Meats is the only other plant quoting at €3.40/kg.