The top third of heavier weanlings are fetching €360/head more than the bottom third in 2017. \ Philip Doyle
ADVERTISEMENT
There is a growing gap between prices paid to farmers for top-quality and plainer weanlings.
Martwatch figures show the top third of heavier weanlings are fetching €360/head more than the bottom third in 2017.
This is an increase of €67/head or 19c/kg compared with 2016.
ADVERTISEMENT
With prices for better-quality weanlings only holding, the gap is being opened by a drop in the average price of plainer young cattle.
This is largely due to an increase in dairy calf numbers in marts. It’s a buyer’s market for such cattle.
More dairy calf births and lower live numbers of calves exported last year have combined to create this trend. Farmers are chasing animals that will grade well on eventual slaughter.
The top third of weanling bulls average €984/head compared with €620/head for the bottom third.
The same trend applies to heifers, but to a lesser extent as there is less of an impact from dairy-bred stock.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
There is a growing gap between prices paid to farmers for top-quality and plainer weanlings.
Martwatch figures show the top third of heavier weanlings are fetching €360/head more than the bottom third in 2017.
This is an increase of €67/head or 19c/kg compared with 2016.
With prices for better-quality weanlings only holding, the gap is being opened by a drop in the average price of plainer young cattle.
This is largely due to an increase in dairy calf numbers in marts. It’s a buyer’s market for such cattle.
More dairy calf births and lower live numbers of calves exported last year have combined to create this trend. Farmers are chasing animals that will grade well on eventual slaughter.
The top third of weanling bulls average €984/head compared with €620/head for the bottom third.
The same trend applies to heifers, but to a lesser extent as there is less of an impact from dairy-bred stock.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS