This week's sheep trade has seen prices cut by approximately 20c/kg since last Monday, but one outlet has increased its spring lamb carcass-weight limit by 0.5kg to 21.5kg.

Lamb prices have been in decline in recent weeks, and farm lobby groups have criticised factories for their continued move to pull lamb prices despite the drop in supplies.

The price cuts come as mid-season lambing flocks have been drafting lambs for slaughter and reports from mart sales around the country suggest strong farmer demand for store lambs.

In Dowra Mart, Co. Cavan, mart manager Terry McGovern said that the average store lamb price is up €20-25/head on average this year.

The mart manager told Agriland that 30-35kg store lambs are making "anywhere from €90-105 with their weight".

This week, Kepak is quoting €8.00/kg plus a 15c/kg Quality Assurance (QA) bonus for spring lambs, leaving €8.15/kg on offer up to 21kg carcass-weight.

This is a reduction of 20c/kg on last Monday's price offer.

The Athleague, Co. Roscommon site is quoting €4.70-4.80/kg for cull ewes.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €8.00/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs, leaving €8.20/kg on offer here, down 20c/kg on last Monday's price offer.

ICM has increased its weight limit on spring lamb carcasses to 21.5kg, up 0.5kg on last week.

The Navan, Co. Meath and Camolin, Co. Wexford-based outlets are quoting €4.30/kg for cull ewes.

Kildare Chilling has no official quote for spring lambs, but is quoting €6.90/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus on hoggets up to 23kg carcass-weight.

Kildare Chilling is quoting €4.70/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for better-type cull ewes.

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €8.20/kg for spring lambs again this week and €5.10/kg for cull ewes.

There were 500 head of sheep on offer at Kilkenny Mart today (Monday, July 14) with a slightly sharper trade noted in the sale.

Butcher lambs peaked at €221/head for five 55kg lambs. Factory lambs peaked at €175/head for 10 lambs averaging 48kg.

Store lambs peaked at €137/head for 10 ewe lambs averaging 35kg.