Demand for lambs remains strong in the factories, despite a higher throughput. However, prices offered are variable and farmers have had to shop around to negotiate the higher prices available.

Most farmers are securing €5.10/kg up to 21kg, including bonus payments, when they shopped around. However, some farmers were offered lower prices of €5/kg this week.

The highest prices paid are ranging from €5.15/kg to €5.20/kg including bonuses. More deals are being done on weight, with some factories lifting the weight limit to 21.5kg to make deals sweeter.

Quotes remain on par with last week’s figures. Kildare Chilling lead with its quote of €5.00/kg plus 10c quality assurance (QA).

Irish Country Meats has quoted €4.90/kg plus 10c QA and Kepak has a quote of €4.95/kg plus 5c QA.

Dawn Meats has a quote of €4.90/kg plus 5c QA. Moyvalley and Ballon Meats have all-in quotes of €5/kg and €4.90/kg respectively.

The sheep kill was very strong last week, with a total kill of 63,326 head, which is up 3,560 on the same period last year.

Numbers being processed this week are reportedly high and factories are keen to maximise throughput. The Muslim Eid al-Adha festival starting next week is helping to drive on demand and prices and keep a floor on the lamb market.

Talking to factory agents, there seems to be a big variation in the kill-out of lambs.

In the west and midlands, a high percentage of lambs are being presented for sale under-fleshed.

Agents say under-fleshed lambs are extremely difficult to market and some have warned that these lambs will receive a price penalty in the future.

Lambs have killed out as low as 40% in places. They advise farmers to not only weigh, but also handle lambs before drafting to ensure they are fit for killing.

In the east and south, where the drought was most prevalent, many lambs are killing out well because farmers were forced to supplement diets with concentrates.

Cull ewes

Cull ewe prices remain steady, with quotes ranging from €2.60/kg in Kepak to €2.80/kg in Ballon Meats. Prices paid range from €2.80/kg to €3.00/kg. The total ewe kill is still quite strong, as farmers with tight grass supplies move to reduce ewe numbers. Last week, over 12,000 ewes were killed.

Northern Ireland

Over 10,100 sheep were exported south from the North for direct slaughter last week. This is the second highest this year.

Prices paid in the North ranged from £4.10/kg to £4.20/kg (€4.80/kg to €4.92/kg incl VAT), but quotes are back at £4.05kg/kg (€4.74/kg).

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