Despite prolonged poor weather conditions, the mart trade has held quite strong right across the country over the past few weeks, with average prices on a weekly basis running on par with the same week last year. Farmers and mart managers have commented on the strength of the trade.
However, in recent day, prices have slipped slightly with continued slow growth and wet ground conditions hampering grazing. The majority of the slippage has come in areas where a greater dairy influence exists. An increased supply of dairy cross stock has hit the average prices a little in these areas. But this may be a temporary blip which may reverse quickly is weather conditions improve.
However, in stronger suckler areas prices have eased also but only slightly. Good-quality R+ and grade forward stores and fleshed cows continue to be met with the strongest demand and highest prices. The cull cow trade continues to hold steady with short keep and warm feeding cows holding firm with prices unchanged on recent weeks.
Steers
Heavy bullocks over 600kg have held firm, backed by a solid beef price. The average 650kg bullock is selling for €1,380, just slightly behind the same week last year. Stores from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €1,150 to €1,300/hd, back by €20 to €30/hd on last week. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average quality types, with the top third in the same weight range making from €1,100 to €1,200. Where Friesians are on offer prices of €1.50/kg to €1.70/kg are common.
Heifers
Heavy heifers have held firm through strong demand from feedlot buyers and factory agents. Heifers over 600kg are rare but are making from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for R grades and up to €2.50/kg for top quality U grades. Stores from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg back by €30 to €35 on last week. However, where better-quality heifers are on offer, prices are holding a little better. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg continue to be met with strong farmer demand and prices are holding quite well as a result.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is holding better than store bullocks and heifers, with prices holding firm on last week for the majority of weanlings. Heavy bulls over 400kg have seen prices in the MartWatch tables ease but this is due to a reduction in the quality on offer. Where the quality is good, prices are firm. The average 350kg bull is making €812/hd, while heifers are making €835/hd. Lighter bulls from 200kg to 300kg are selling from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg with heifers making from €2.45/kg to €2.53/kg.
Read more
Mart trade holding well despite weather pressure
What's on in the marts in the coming weeks
Lesser quality cattle hitting average prices
Despite prolonged poor weather conditions, the mart trade has held quite strong right across the country over the past few weeks, with average prices on a weekly basis running on par with the same week last year. Farmers and mart managers have commented on the strength of the trade.
However, in recent day, prices have slipped slightly with continued slow growth and wet ground conditions hampering grazing. The majority of the slippage has come in areas where a greater dairy influence exists. An increased supply of dairy cross stock has hit the average prices a little in these areas. But this may be a temporary blip which may reverse quickly is weather conditions improve.
However, in stronger suckler areas prices have eased also but only slightly. Good-quality R+ and grade forward stores and fleshed cows continue to be met with the strongest demand and highest prices. The cull cow trade continues to hold steady with short keep and warm feeding cows holding firm with prices unchanged on recent weeks.
Steers
Heavy bullocks over 600kg have held firm, backed by a solid beef price. The average 650kg bullock is selling for €1,380, just slightly behind the same week last year. Stores from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €1,150 to €1,300/hd, back by €20 to €30/hd on last week. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average quality types, with the top third in the same weight range making from €1,100 to €1,200. Where Friesians are on offer prices of €1.50/kg to €1.70/kg are common.
Heifers
Heavy heifers have held firm through strong demand from feedlot buyers and factory agents. Heifers over 600kg are rare but are making from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for R grades and up to €2.50/kg for top quality U grades. Stores from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg back by €30 to €35 on last week. However, where better-quality heifers are on offer, prices are holding a little better. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg continue to be met with strong farmer demand and prices are holding quite well as a result.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is holding better than store bullocks and heifers, with prices holding firm on last week for the majority of weanlings. Heavy bulls over 400kg have seen prices in the MartWatch tables ease but this is due to a reduction in the quality on offer. Where the quality is good, prices are firm. The average 350kg bull is making €812/hd, while heifers are making €835/hd. Lighter bulls from 200kg to 300kg are selling from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg with heifers making from €2.45/kg to €2.53/kg.
Read more
Mart trade holding well despite weather pressure
What's on in the marts in the coming weeks
Lesser quality cattle hitting average prices
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