Department of Agriculture sheep kill data shows the effect the closure of Kepak Athleague and Dawn Ballyhaunis is having on throughput. Last week’s kill was 45,700 head – 25,000 head lower than the corresponding week in 2018.

Market outlets are getting congested with increasing numbers of farmers in the west trying to market lambs in plants in the east of the country. Prices are steady to 5c/kg lower with quality assured lambs trading from €4.60/kg to €4.65/kg while top prices are 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher.