Monaghan IFA Sheep Committee Chairman Eamon Markey has said that lamb supplies remain scarce with factories struggling to get adequate numbers. He said factories have paid up to €4.50/kg up to 22kg carcase weight this week.

Mr Markey said despite lower quoted prices factories are paying from €4.40/kg to €4.50/kg to get supplies. The IFA sheep farmers’ man said with a strong demand for quality assured lambs, producers should be demanding an additional 10c/kg bonus for quality assurance. According to Mr Markey, some plants are paying 5c to 6c/kg for quality assurance.