Mart sales in the past week were badly interrupted by Storm Emma and heavy snowfalls across the country.
While most sales have resumed in the past few days, the earlier part of the week saw relatively low numbers turning out across the country.
Despite low numbers, the cattle trade has been said to be very strong, with more buyers than sellers present at mart rings. The best trade remains for short-keep bullocks and heifers. However, the number on offer is low.
Grass buyer demand is increasing. While the weather put some farmers off buying, there have been a good deal of buyers that have gone out early to try to secure numbers to avoid paying higher prices in late March and April.
The cull cow trade is holding well. Store cows, although not that plentiful, are being met with strong demand, while feeders and factory agents continue to snap up all fleshed types.
Steers
The numbers of stock recorded on the MartWatch system in the past week has been very low as a direct result of mart cancellations. As a result, the average prices in the tables this week do not give a true representation of the trade. Forward store bullocks are a steady trade, with prices of the average 650kg bullock ranging mainly from €750 to €850 along with the weight. Forward stores are firm also, but there are reports of slightly higher prices paid for top-quality lighter store bullocks, driven by low numbers on offer.
Heifers
Like bullocks, the number of heifer sales data recorded in the past week is low, but the trade has been very strong, with prices edging upwards slightly. R=/+ grade heifers over 600kg are very low in supply and where on offer are making from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg on average, with better-quality types making from €2.45/kg o €2.60/kg. Demand for lighter stores has increased also, with grass buyers trying to source early. The average 450kg heifer is currently making €20 to €25/head more than the same time last year.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is strong where the quality on offer is good. In stronger dairy areas, Friesian weanling bulls from 250kg to 300kg are making from €1.60/kg to €1.80/kg, depending on quality. Continental weanling bulls in the same weight range made from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg, with U grades making over €3.00/kg. Weaning heifers from 300kg to 400kg are selling from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg for average-quality types, with the top third making over €600 to €670 over.
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Cattle trade steady at Ballymena Mart
Farmers driving the trade for calves and store cattle
Exporters underpinning the trade for Friesian bulls
Cattle quotes steady but price deals on offer
Mart sales in the past week were badly interrupted by Storm Emma and heavy snowfalls across the country.
While most sales have resumed in the past few days, the earlier part of the week saw relatively low numbers turning out across the country.
Despite low numbers, the cattle trade has been said to be very strong, with more buyers than sellers present at mart rings. The best trade remains for short-keep bullocks and heifers. However, the number on offer is low.
Grass buyer demand is increasing. While the weather put some farmers off buying, there have been a good deal of buyers that have gone out early to try to secure numbers to avoid paying higher prices in late March and April.
The cull cow trade is holding well. Store cows, although not that plentiful, are being met with strong demand, while feeders and factory agents continue to snap up all fleshed types.
Steers
The numbers of stock recorded on the MartWatch system in the past week has been very low as a direct result of mart cancellations. As a result, the average prices in the tables this week do not give a true representation of the trade. Forward store bullocks are a steady trade, with prices of the average 650kg bullock ranging mainly from €750 to €850 along with the weight. Forward stores are firm also, but there are reports of slightly higher prices paid for top-quality lighter store bullocks, driven by low numbers on offer.
Heifers
Like bullocks, the number of heifer sales data recorded in the past week is low, but the trade has been very strong, with prices edging upwards slightly. R=/+ grade heifers over 600kg are very low in supply and where on offer are making from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg on average, with better-quality types making from €2.45/kg o €2.60/kg. Demand for lighter stores has increased also, with grass buyers trying to source early. The average 450kg heifer is currently making €20 to €25/head more than the same time last year.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is strong where the quality on offer is good. In stronger dairy areas, Friesian weanling bulls from 250kg to 300kg are making from €1.60/kg to €1.80/kg, depending on quality. Continental weanling bulls in the same weight range made from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg, with U grades making over €3.00/kg. Weaning heifers from 300kg to 400kg are selling from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg for average-quality types, with the top third making over €600 to €670 over.
Read more
Cattle trade steady at Ballymena Mart
Farmers driving the trade for calves and store cattle
Exporters underpinning the trade for Friesian bulls
Cattle quotes steady but price deals on offer
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