This week's sheep trade has kicked off with firm prices but there are also indications that a degree of pressure is coming on the trade with prices to be reviewed midweek.

Many store lamb finishers will be closely watching the market as grass supplies dwindle and lambs approach slaughter weights.

Factories have issued notices with over heavy hoggets in recent weeks and are advising farmers to draft hoggets as the come fit.

Sheep trade: Factory prices

This week, Kepak is quoting €7.60/kg plus a 15c/kg Quality Assurance (QA) bonus for spring lambs, leaving €7.75/kg on offer up to 23kg carcass-weight.

The Athleague, Co. Roscommon site is quoting €4.30-€4.40/kg for cull ewes.

The outlet will be reviewing its price offer for the second half of the week.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €7.70/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for lambs, leaving €7.90/kg on offer here up to 23kg carcass-weight again this week.

This price offer is at the same level as last week and the outlet will also be reviewing its hogget price offer for later in the week.

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

Kildare Chilling is quoting €7.60/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for hoggets and is cutting heavy carcasses this week.

Kildare Chilling is quoting €4.40/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for cull ewes with carcass weights from 35-43kg.

For cull ewes under 35kg carcass-weight, Kildare Chilling is quoting €3.70 plus a 10c/kg QA bonus, leaving €3.80/kg on offer here.

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €7.80/kg for hoggets this week. The outlet is quoting €5.00/kg for cull ewes again this week.

Sheep trade at Kilkenny Mart

Kilkenny Mart hosted its sheep sale today(Monday, January 19) with up to €195/head paid for 55kg hoggets.

A pen of eight lambs with an average weight of 47kg made €169/head and cull ewes made from €125-212/head.