This week's sheep trade saw reductions of up to 30c/kg on factory quotes for spring lambs.

Prices had been in decline across the board for several weeks, though farmers saw a positive in the last fortnight as prices remained relatively steady.

However, this week, farmers will again experience a drop in prices for spring lambs and hoggets, while cull ewes are the only ones remaining steady.

This week, Kepak is quoting €8.20/kg plus a 15c/kg Quality Assurance (QA) bonus for spring lambs, leaving €8.35/kg on offer up to 21kg carcass weight.

This is a reduction of 25c/kg, as last week's prices came in at €8.45/kg plus a 15c/kg bonus.

Kepak quoted hoggets at €6.50/kg after having no official quote last week.

The Athleague, Co. Roscommon-based processor is quoting €4.70 and €4.80/kg for cull ewes over 30kg, which is the same price offered for the last fortnight.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €8.20/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs, leaving €8.40/kg on offer here up to 21kg carcass weight.

Similar to Kepak, this is a 30c/kg drop from last week, which was €8.50/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus.

The Navan, Co. Meath and Camolin, Co. Wexford-based outlets are quoting €6.80 + 20c/kg QA bonus for hoggets, leaving €7.00/kg on the table.

This a reduction from last week's quote of €7.00/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus.

ICM is also quoting €4.50/kg for cull ewes, which is the same price offered for the last fortnight.

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €8.20/kg all in for spring lamb and €5.00/kg for cull ewes, which is a 30c/kg and 10c/kg drop respectively.

Kilkenny Mart auctioneer, George Candler said that all prices at today's sale (Monday, July 7) could be described as "disappointing".

Candler said that quotes of €7.40-€7.60 are back roughly €40 per head compared to last year.

The trade saw spring lambs between 48-56kg selling for anywhere between €173-€206/head or an average of €3.57/kg.

Factory lambs weighed between 41-47kg, selling from €3.50-€3.65/kg.

Candler stated: "We here in Kilkenny have seen a big decline in sheep sellers over the past two to four years, with many switching to dairy farming."

He added that the current quotes will not attract any new sheep farmers.