Slaughter figures from the Department of Agriculture have shown that the number of spring lambs slaughtered has fallen this week from the previous week.
Supplies have eased with the change in the weather and the number of spring lambs slaughtered has fallen back to 42,491 from 46,370 last week.
The number has risen significantly when compared to the same period of last year however, when 32,228 lambs were finished.
Last week’s throughput:
- Lambs/hoggets: 2,775;
- Spring lambs: 42,491;
- Ewes and rams: 6,755;
- Light lambs: 0;
- Total: 52,021.
Cumulative (excludes this week’s throughput):
- Lambs/hoggets: 781,116;
- Spring lambs: 211,380;
- Ewes and rams: 125,575;
- Light lambs: 28;
- Total: 1,132,376.
Corresponding week last year:
- Lambs/hoggets: 4,770;
- Spring lambs: 32,288;
- Ewes and rams: 6,240;
- Light lambs: 1;
- Total: 43,299.
Last year’s throughput:
- Lambs/hoggets: 739,903;
- Spring lambs: 181,421;
- Ewes and rams: 161,335;
- Light lambs: 11;
- Total: 1,082,670.
Prices:
A change in the weather has meant that supplies are easing in factories.
In recent days, factories have been paying €2.60-€2.70/kg for ewes, which is a fall of around 10c/kg from the previous week.
Lamb and hogget prices have also experienced a drop, with a top price of €6.00/kg being paid including bonuses.
