Mart managers around the country have commented that the trade has remained very strong, with noticeably more grass buyer activity earlier this year, despite low grass growth.
In the west, cattle are coming out a little earlier due to fodder constraints and farmers taking advantage of a buoyant mart trade.
Some mart managers have commented that buyers are active earlier to avoid the risk of numbers becoming much tighter in later March/early April. Grass buyers are most active for all good-quality light store and forward store cattle, while demand for store cows for grass is also said to be very strong across the country. However, the majority of cows coming to the fore are more forward stores, with the number of store cows suitable for summer grazing back a little on last year.
Continental store cows are selling from €900 to €1,100, while Friesian store cows, although low in numbers, are making from €750 upwards depending on quality.
Steers
Heavy bullocks over 600kg continue to be a very strong trade, driven mainly by factory agents and finishers. R+ grade bullocks over 600kg are making from €1,320 to €1,500, depending on weight, and prices have edged upwards slightly. Feeding bullocks from 500kg to 600kg are making from €1,100 to €1,350, with U grades making over €1,450, with average prices running about 9c/kg above the same week last year. Demand for lighter stores remains firm, with plenty of grass buyer activity at the ringsides.
Heifers
The average 600kg heifer sold from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg and up to €2.45/kg at the top of the market. Forward store heifers from 500kg to 600kg are selling for €2.22/kg on average, up slightly on last week and on par with the same week last year. Lighter store activity is being driven by grass buyer activity despite the current weather conditions. Heifers from 400kg to 500kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality types and from €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg for U grades. Angus and Herefords are making from €1.80/kg to €1.95/kg.
Weanlings
The weanling trade can only be described as brisk. Farmers are the main drivers behind average-quality cattle, while there is also some export activity in the market, particularly at special sales. Heavy feeding bulls over 450kg are still in demand, with specialist feeders still very active. Lighter bulls from 300kg to 400kg are being met with strong farmer demand and prices are averaging €2.40/kg, which is up slightly on last week and up €30/head on the same week last year. Weanling heifers are a similar trade to bulls on a price-per-kilo basis.
Read more
Flying trade for short-keep and factory-fit stock
Grass buyers out early for weanling heifers and stores
Calf numbers jump at Bandon Mart
Store cattle prices on the rise at Enniskillen Mart
Mart managers around the country have commented that the trade has remained very strong, with noticeably more grass buyer activity earlier this year, despite low grass growth.
In the west, cattle are coming out a little earlier due to fodder constraints and farmers taking advantage of a buoyant mart trade.
Some mart managers have commented that buyers are active earlier to avoid the risk of numbers becoming much tighter in later March/early April. Grass buyers are most active for all good-quality light store and forward store cattle, while demand for store cows for grass is also said to be very strong across the country. However, the majority of cows coming to the fore are more forward stores, with the number of store cows suitable for summer grazing back a little on last year.
Continental store cows are selling from €900 to €1,100, while Friesian store cows, although low in numbers, are making from €750 upwards depending on quality.
Steers
Heavy bullocks over 600kg continue to be a very strong trade, driven mainly by factory agents and finishers. R+ grade bullocks over 600kg are making from €1,320 to €1,500, depending on weight, and prices have edged upwards slightly. Feeding bullocks from 500kg to 600kg are making from €1,100 to €1,350, with U grades making over €1,450, with average prices running about 9c/kg above the same week last year. Demand for lighter stores remains firm, with plenty of grass buyer activity at the ringsides.
Heifers
The average 600kg heifer sold from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg and up to €2.45/kg at the top of the market. Forward store heifers from 500kg to 600kg are selling for €2.22/kg on average, up slightly on last week and on par with the same week last year. Lighter store activity is being driven by grass buyer activity despite the current weather conditions. Heifers from 400kg to 500kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality types and from €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg for U grades. Angus and Herefords are making from €1.80/kg to €1.95/kg.
Weanlings
The weanling trade can only be described as brisk. Farmers are the main drivers behind average-quality cattle, while there is also some export activity in the market, particularly at special sales. Heavy feeding bulls over 450kg are still in demand, with specialist feeders still very active. Lighter bulls from 300kg to 400kg are being met with strong farmer demand and prices are averaging €2.40/kg, which is up slightly on last week and up €30/head on the same week last year. Weanling heifers are a similar trade to bulls on a price-per-kilo basis.
Read more
Flying trade for short-keep and factory-fit stock
Grass buyers out early for weanling heifers and stores
Calf numbers jump at Bandon Mart
Store cattle prices on the rise at Enniskillen Mart
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