Processors have been sluggish to maneuver up weight limits for lambs in Northern Eire, just like what has been seen within the Republic of Eire.

The Livestock and Meat Fee (LMC) has mentioned that the seasonal changeover to paying for heavier lamb carcasses this yr has been later than in earlier years, with factories quoting as much as 22kg throughout late-October final yr.

Northern Irish processors have mentioned that the rise in availability of lambs for slaughter within the final variety of weeks is all the way down to producers feeding much less meal, coupled with sluggish grass development throughout the dry spell, which slowed down the variety of completed lambs approaching stream throughout the summer season months.

The common carcass weight throughout the six-week interval up the week ending November 12, was 21.5kg. That is up from the earlier six-week interval, reflecting the standard of lambs coming ahead for slaughter, based on the LMC.

The LMC mentioned: “The sturdy carcass weights and availability of heavy lambs explains the delay in native processors rising the higher weight restrict.

“The shift within the higher weight restrict to 22kg happens to encourage higher fleshed lambs throughout the winter months when grass provides are tighter and extra conventional breeds of lambs are slaughtered.

“These breeds are sometimes leaner sheep from upland areas which have been bought as shops and completed on lowland farms.

“Whereas producers are inspired to provide lambs as near 22kg as potential, they’re additionally reminded to not exceed this stage as lambs heavier than this can present no extra return.”

Lamb commerce

Quotes for R3-grade lambs ranged from 505-510p/kg this previous week as much as a 22kg carcass weight.

Subsequent week, base quotes of 515p/kg are anticipated throughout factories.

Provides of lambs in Northern Eire in current weeks have been sturdy, the LMC mentioned, with 63,939 lambs processed by the three factories over the past six-week interval.

This is a rise of 11,884 head in comparison with the corresponding interval of 2021, and can also be forward of 2020 ranges by 653 head.