With factory agents and finishers still very active across the country, the trade for all short-keep and forward cattle continues to be very strong.
All heavy bullocks and heifers suitable for slaughter are a flying trade, with strong demand where they are on offer.
Even where the cattle presented are likely to be slaughtered over 30 months, this is not affecting prices at most marts, although some buyers are favouring in-spec stock.
Lighter store cattle are on par with last week and prices are running from €20 to €50/head above the same week last year.
Weanlings are firm. Where continentals are on offer, they are being met with the best demand, while traditional breed weanlings are selling on par with the same time last year.
Cull cows are strong, backed by firm cow beef prices. Short-keep and slaughter-fit cows are selling mainly from €1.80/kg to €1.95/kg, with some heavy well-conformed lots making over €2.00/kg.
Steers
Special sales have pushed average prices up slightly, but the majority of heavy and short-keep types are a slightly improved trade, with factory agents and finishers very eager to secure supplies. R+ grade bullocks over 600kg are making from €1,320 to €1,500 depending on weight. Feeding bullocks from 500kg to 600kg are making from €1,100 to €1,350, with U grades making over €1,450. Average prices are running €130/head over the same time last year. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are selling mainly from €2.25/kg to €2.35/kg.
Heifers
The heifer trade is similar to the bullock trade. Those over 600kg are scarce, but where they are on offer they were a strong trade. The average 600kg heifer sold from €2.20/kg to €2.35/kg and up to €2.50/kg at the top of the market. Forward-store bullocks were a strong trade also and sold mainly from €2.15/kg to €2.30/kg, up about 7c/kg on last week. There are more grass buyers in the mix sourcing stores and this is having a positive effect on the trade, with the average 450kg heifer making from €980 to €1,050/head.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is solid. In the south, there have been higher numbers of Friesian bulls and dairy-cross stock on offer, which are making from €1.50/kg to €1.75/kg for Friesians, with Angus and Herefords making from €1.70/kg to €2.00/kg. The average 350kg weanling bull sold for €2.45/kg or €860/head and up to €2.90/kg for better-quality types. Weanling heifers are a strong and steady trade, while lighter bulls and heifers from 200kg to 300kg are making from €2.45/kg to €2.55/kg.
Read more
Smaller hogget entry sees prices edge up at Roscommon
Strong demand sees Friesian bulls average at €115 to €120/head in Nenagh
Short-keep cattle and cows a flying trade in Ennis
Northern view: strong cattle kill continuing in February
With factory agents and finishers still very active across the country, the trade for all short-keep and forward cattle continues to be very strong.
All heavy bullocks and heifers suitable for slaughter are a flying trade, with strong demand where they are on offer.
Even where the cattle presented are likely to be slaughtered over 30 months, this is not affecting prices at most marts, although some buyers are favouring in-spec stock.
Lighter store cattle are on par with last week and prices are running from €20 to €50/head above the same week last year.
Weanlings are firm. Where continentals are on offer, they are being met with the best demand, while traditional breed weanlings are selling on par with the same time last year.
Cull cows are strong, backed by firm cow beef prices. Short-keep and slaughter-fit cows are selling mainly from €1.80/kg to €1.95/kg, with some heavy well-conformed lots making over €2.00/kg.
Steers
Special sales have pushed average prices up slightly, but the majority of heavy and short-keep types are a slightly improved trade, with factory agents and finishers very eager to secure supplies. R+ grade bullocks over 600kg are making from €1,320 to €1,500 depending on weight. Feeding bullocks from 500kg to 600kg are making from €1,100 to €1,350, with U grades making over €1,450. Average prices are running €130/head over the same time last year. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are selling mainly from €2.25/kg to €2.35/kg.
Heifers
The heifer trade is similar to the bullock trade. Those over 600kg are scarce, but where they are on offer they were a strong trade. The average 600kg heifer sold from €2.20/kg to €2.35/kg and up to €2.50/kg at the top of the market. Forward-store bullocks were a strong trade also and sold mainly from €2.15/kg to €2.30/kg, up about 7c/kg on last week. There are more grass buyers in the mix sourcing stores and this is having a positive effect on the trade, with the average 450kg heifer making from €980 to €1,050/head.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is solid. In the south, there have been higher numbers of Friesian bulls and dairy-cross stock on offer, which are making from €1.50/kg to €1.75/kg for Friesians, with Angus and Herefords making from €1.70/kg to €2.00/kg. The average 350kg weanling bull sold for €2.45/kg or €860/head and up to €2.90/kg for better-quality types. Weanling heifers are a strong and steady trade, while lighter bulls and heifers from 200kg to 300kg are making from €2.45/kg to €2.55/kg.
Read more
Smaller hogget entry sees prices edge up at Roscommon
Strong demand sees Friesian bulls average at €115 to €120/head in Nenagh
Short-keep cattle and cows a flying trade in Ennis
Northern view: strong cattle kill continuing in February
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