While the mart trade has started at a similar level to where it was before Christmas, mart managers have said increased demand for fleshed cows and high-quality weanlings has resulted in slightly improved prices for these animals.

At some marts, demand for young calves has been strong, resulting in a good trade for high-quality Friesian and continental types. In some areas of the south, feedlot buyers have started to become more active for forward stores also.

With numbers of cattle on offer still very small, the true estimation of the trade will be visible in the next week or two.