Farming organisations are disappointed with the first quotes offered by factories for spring lambs this year.

Irish Country Meats is the first processor to offer a quote for spring lamb, starting with a base price of €6.40/kg.

ICSA’s Sheep Committee Chairman John Brooks said that €6.50/kg is not nearly enough for early spring lamb, as it is a very unique product. He said that farmers should be paid at least €7/kg for these lambs.

If the price does not improve in the next couple of weeks the early spring lamb industry could collapse.

Farmers producing these lambs should also be getting paid up to a 22kg carcass, he said, which would be some benefit to the farmer.