The past week has seen a slightly more variable trade in the west, northwest and midlands. However, where good-quality Charolais and Limousin cattle are on offer, prices are continuing to hold.

However, plainer cattle are continuing to be met with weaker demand. Feeders are active and are helping to keep a firm floor under forward store bullock prices in many areas. The trade for heifers is weaker than the same time last year with prices running at similar levels to the equivalent bullock. The weanling trade is variable in some areas. Exporter activity is helping light bull calf prices, while farmer activity for the majority of other calves is solid in most areas. Feeder demand for forward bulls is solid, but in most areas, prices are back by €150 to €200/ head on the same period last year.

Steers

Forward store bullocks continue to be a very strong trade, with feeder buyers driving the trade in most areas. Prices have steadied or improved slightly in some areas, with the average 550kg steer making €1,160/head. Top-quality types are selling for a 30c/kg premium. Lighter stores have been a slightly weaker trade and are selling from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg on average and up to €2.60/kg for U grades in some areas.

Heifers

The heifer trade has come under a little more pressure in some parts. The difference in demand for heifers and steers is more evident than in recent weeks. Prices from 500kg to 600kg are making from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg or at similar levels to the equivalent steer. Lighter store heifers are averaging from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg or 12c/kg less than the same time last year. Where plainer heifers are on offer, prices are said to be variable at the ringside.

Weanlings

The trade for top-quality weanlings remains firm. However, the trade has become more variable in some areas, driven by poor weather and increased supply. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg have seen prices ease by €12 to €20/head and are currently running 23c/kg or €80/head behind the same time last year. Light weanling bulls from 200kg to 300kg have been met with slightly improved demand driving by solid exporter activity which is placing a firm floor under prices of light bulls.

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