Mart entries are starting to fall off quicker as the busy autumn sales period comes to an end. Prices for good-quality cattle have stabilised, with some mart managers reporting a recovery in price. However, plainer-quality cattle remain under some pressure, with the best demand for continental lots.

Good-quality R and U grading forward stores weighing 600kg+ are selling from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg, with the age of animals and likelihood to hit QPS specifications having an influence on prices paid.

Lighter 2014-born stores weighing 450kg to 520kg that are likely to go back to grass are meeting good demand, with good-quality continental bullocks selling from €2.20/kg to €2.45/kg, with the best quality U grading bullocks rising to a top of €2.50/kg to €2.70/kg.

Heifer prices have recovered, with tighter supplies helping competition levels. Good-quality R and U grading heifers weighing 500kg+ are selling from €2.00/kg to €2.25/kg, with exceptional-quality lots in special sales selling to €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg. Lighter stores are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.50/kg for the better-quality lots, with O grading heifers and dairy crossbreds selling back to €1.90/kg.

MartWatch price analysis shows weanling bulls holding steady. 300kg to 400kg weanling bulls are selling on average for €2.35/kg, with top-quality lots to €2.70/kg and plainer-quality lots back to €1.90/kg. Friesian bulls are trading from €1.50/kg to €1.85/kg for better-quality British Friesian types.

Weanling heifers follow a similar price trend, with average prices 10c/kg lower. Light weanlings are meeting good farmer demand, with lots weighing 200kg to 300kg selling from €2.50/kg to €3.00/kg for continental calves. Angus and Hereford calves are selling from €2.30/kg to €2.80/kg depending on quality, with Friesians from €2.00/kg to €2.40/kg for light bulls.

More cows on offer

There has been a sharp rise in dairy cows entered. A high percentage are fresh from the parlour. Younger feeding cows with an average cover of flesh are selling from €0.95/kg to €1.10/kg, with older cows back to €0.85/kg. Cows in very poor condition are selling from €0.60/kg to €0.75/kg with slaughter-fit cows selling to €1.20/kg to €1.30/kg. Continental cows are holding better on price. Young feeding O and R- grading cows are selling from €1.20/kg to €1.50/kg. Demand remains for heavy well-conformed slaughter-fit cows, with top-quality lots selling from €1.60/kg to €1.80/kg with small numbers of U grading lots selling to €1.90/kg.