MartWatch data shows the price of forward-store bullocks to have fallen again in the past week. Average prices are reported to be back by €20 to €30 per head, with lesser-quality and Friesian types bearing the brunt of the pain. Where quality is good, prices are steady.

In contrast, improved factory agent activity has resulted in a price lift for fleshed and short-keep cows at the ringside. At the top end of the market, slaughter-fit, heavy R+ and U grade animals are making €2/kg once again. The main demand for R grades is seeing price range from €1.70/kg to €1.90/kg depending on cover and weight.

The price of the average 550kg steer is now approximately €1,035, some €80 behind the same time last year. Better-quality types are seeing prices at the same amount below this time last year. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are selling for €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg on average, with U grades making €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg, similar to the same period last year.

The heifer trade remains steady. The availability of heifers from 500kg to 600kg has improved and prices remain firm. The average 550kg heifer sold for €1,115 in the past week, with the equivalent U grade making €1,220.

However, when compared with the same time last year, they lag €70 to €80 per head behind the same time last year. Lighter heifers from 400kg to 500kg have been a steady trade, selling from €2.10/kg for average-quality types to as much as €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg for U grades.

At special sales, exporters continue to drive the trade for weanling bulls, paying €2.50/kg to €2.75/kg for U+ bulls. The average 300kg to 400kg bull sold from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg on average or €700 to €770 per head. Where quality is good, prices of €700 to €820 are common place. The top third of bull weanlings in terms of quality have seen prices drop by €18 to €22/head in the last week to €2.51/kg on average.

Plainer Angus and Friesian cross weanlings have been met with a more difficult trade, with increased availability of weanlings resulting in reduced demand.

Again, weanling heifers continue to be a strong trade with good-quality types seeing prices hold firm. Heifers from 300kg to 400kg sold from €2.10/kg to €2.35/kg on average.

Where special sales have taken place, prices of €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg have been achieved. The top third of heifers in the same weight category are making from €2.40/kg to €2.65/kg.