Plainer cattle, and in particular dairy-crosses, continue to be met with the weakest trade, with most plain Angus and Herefords back by up to €100/head in some areas on the same week last year.
Where good-quality continental cattle are on offer, prices are holding firm.
The best demand continues to be for better-quality short-keep and slaughter-fit bullocks and heifers.
Top-quality lighter stores are holding firm, especially where the numbers on offer are small.
Cull cow numbers have increased substantially in the past week, with marts reporting numbers up by 30% to 100% on the previous week.
This is driven primarily by dairy farmers offloading empty culls straight from the parlour. More details on P65.
The trade for dairy heifers has eased slightly in the south, with less farmers actively buying. Prices of €1,100 to €1,200 are now quite common.
Steers
While Martwatch data is showing average prices to have slipped, this has been caused by an increase in plainer cattle and decrease in better-quality continental cattle on offer.
Where good-quality suckler-bred bullocks are on offer, the trade is firm. R and U grades over 600kg are selling from €1,200 to €1,350. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg, with the top third making from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg.
Where Angus and Herefords are on offer, prices of €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg are common.
Heifers
The heifer trade has held a bit better than bullocks, as there is less dairy influence. Heavy heifers over 600kg are only available in low numbers and are a solid trade.
Those from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg or from €1,100 to €1,200/head for 550kg. Plain heifers are selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg.
Light heifers from 400kg to 500kg are selling mainly from €900 to €980 for average-quality types and up to €1,350 for top-quality heifers.
Weanlings
Increased numbers of dairy-bred and plainer weanlings and runners has had a negative effect on weanling bulls prices in the past week.
The numbers of light dairy-cross runners coming to the fore have increased and prices are variable as a result. Plain bulls under 250kg sold mainly from €380 to €420/head, which offers little to no margin on rearing and summer grazing costs.
The average 350kg bull is making €800, while heifers are selling for €770. Demand for top-quality Charolais and Limousin bulls and heifers remains strong.
Read more
Numbers up 10% at Kanturk Mart
Exports of pork to China at long last
Flush of dairy culls at marts
Beef prices: kill edges closer to 40,000
Plainer cattle, and in particular dairy-crosses, continue to be met with the weakest trade, with most plain Angus and Herefords back by up to €100/head in some areas on the same week last year.
Where good-quality continental cattle are on offer, prices are holding firm.
The best demand continues to be for better-quality short-keep and slaughter-fit bullocks and heifers.
Top-quality lighter stores are holding firm, especially where the numbers on offer are small.
Cull cow numbers have increased substantially in the past week, with marts reporting numbers up by 30% to 100% on the previous week.
This is driven primarily by dairy farmers offloading empty culls straight from the parlour. More details on P65.
The trade for dairy heifers has eased slightly in the south, with less farmers actively buying. Prices of €1,100 to €1,200 are now quite common.
Steers
While Martwatch data is showing average prices to have slipped, this has been caused by an increase in plainer cattle and decrease in better-quality continental cattle on offer.
Where good-quality suckler-bred bullocks are on offer, the trade is firm. R and U grades over 600kg are selling from €1,200 to €1,350. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg, with the top third making from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg.
Where Angus and Herefords are on offer, prices of €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg are common.
Heifers
The heifer trade has held a bit better than bullocks, as there is less dairy influence. Heavy heifers over 600kg are only available in low numbers and are a solid trade.
Those from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg or from €1,100 to €1,200/head for 550kg. Plain heifers are selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg.
Light heifers from 400kg to 500kg are selling mainly from €900 to €980 for average-quality types and up to €1,350 for top-quality heifers.
Weanlings
Increased numbers of dairy-bred and plainer weanlings and runners has had a negative effect on weanling bulls prices in the past week.
The numbers of light dairy-cross runners coming to the fore have increased and prices are variable as a result. Plain bulls under 250kg sold mainly from €380 to €420/head, which offers little to no margin on rearing and summer grazing costs.
The average 350kg bull is making €800, while heifers are selling for €770. Demand for top-quality Charolais and Limousin bulls and heifers remains strong.
Read more
Numbers up 10% at Kanturk Mart
Exports of pork to China at long last
Flush of dairy culls at marts
Beef prices: kill edges closer to 40,000
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