Prices at marts across the country have held well in recent weeks despite poor spring weather and grass growth.
In the past week prices have come under a little more pressure, with MartWatch averages edging slightly downwards. This has been due to an increase in plainer cattle coming to the fore in some areas, as many farmers offload stock due to fodder pressure.
The cattle most affected by an easing of prices have been dairy crosses, which have seen a drop of €20/head to €30/head in some areas.
In contrast, better-quality, suckler-bred weanlings and short-keep stores are on offer – the prices for these holding firm. The average 650kg steer is currently making €1,380- while heifers are making 8c/kg more.
A similar trend is evident where good-quality, lighter stores are on offer – the prices of these are said to be holding better than that of plainer lots, which in some cases have seen average prices ease by €30/head to €35/head. Light stores from 400kg to 500kg have seen prices hold quite well also, but in some areas prices have eased by up to €16 -€20/head on last week.
The weanling trade can only be described as strong, with farmer buyers and exporters placing a firm floor under prices. Like forward stores, where Friesian crosses are on offer they are being met with reduced demand and prices of these are hit, but R+ and U grade continentals are holding well, with the average 350kg bull currently making €810/head, while the top third are making €970/head.
Weanling heifers are seeing slightly better average prices as there is less dairy influence in this category of stock.
Read more
What's on in the marts in the coming weeks
Lesser quality cattle hitting average prices
Prices at marts across the country have held well in recent weeks despite poor spring weather and grass growth.
In the past week prices have come under a little more pressure, with MartWatch averages edging slightly downwards. This has been due to an increase in plainer cattle coming to the fore in some areas, as many farmers offload stock due to fodder pressure.
The cattle most affected by an easing of prices have been dairy crosses, which have seen a drop of €20/head to €30/head in some areas.
In contrast, better-quality, suckler-bred weanlings and short-keep stores are on offer – the prices for these holding firm. The average 650kg steer is currently making €1,380- while heifers are making 8c/kg more.
A similar trend is evident where good-quality, lighter stores are on offer – the prices of these are said to be holding better than that of plainer lots, which in some cases have seen average prices ease by €30/head to €35/head. Light stores from 400kg to 500kg have seen prices hold quite well also, but in some areas prices have eased by up to €16 -€20/head on last week.
The weanling trade can only be described as strong, with farmer buyers and exporters placing a firm floor under prices. Like forward stores, where Friesian crosses are on offer they are being met with reduced demand and prices of these are hit, but R+ and U grade continentals are holding well, with the average 350kg bull currently making €810/head, while the top third are making €970/head.
Weanling heifers are seeing slightly better average prices as there is less dairy influence in this category of stock.
Read more
What's on in the marts in the coming weeks
Lesser quality cattle hitting average prices
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