The sheep trade is swiftly making its way towards €6/kg with quotes for Thursday rising 20c/kg to 35c/kg.

Base quotes range from €5.60/kg to €5.70/kg with top prices of €5.90/kg to €6.00/kg paid.

Prices are now running 70c/kg to 80c/kg above last year’s levels or over €16 higher on a 22kg carcase.

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Meanwhile, IFA national sheep chair Sean Dennehy told the Irish Farmers Journal that early lamb producers will require a return of €150 for spring lambs to cover higher production-related costs and leave a margin.