The past week has seen a slight improvement in the trade in some areas, as more buyers have been present at the ringside with the onset of increased grass growth.
While the trade for good-quality cattle is still holding well, the past few weeks have seen average-quality types running about 20c/kg behind the same time last year.
Average prices at sales have been affected by increased supplies of lesser-quality cattle on offer, particularly in dairy areas, where some offloading of lesser-quality types took place. Strong export demand is underpinning special weanling sales which have taken place in recent days.
Mart managers have also said that heavy bulls are being snapped up by feedlot buyers.
Farmer activity is still good, but mainly for better-quality weanlings, while plainer weanlings and those from a dairy background are being met with increased price pressure and poor prices.
Demand for in-calf suckler cows is strong, while there are reports of some over-stocked dairy farmers selling cows in milk and in-calf heifers at reasonable prices.
Steers
Heavy bullocks are a firm trade, where the quality on offer are good. U grade bullocks over 600kg are still making well over €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg. Stores have held firm also, but average prices are well back on the same time last year. Those from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg and up to €2.40/kg for better-quality types. Farmers are a little more active for stores with the onset of a little rain, but mostly for continentals with demand for dairy crosses lagging. Where light Friesian stores are to the fore, they are a hard sell.
Heifers
The heifer trade is solid for heavy types, but the numbers of these on offer are very low. Those over 500kg are selling from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality continentals and up to €2.45/kg at the top of the trade for U grades. However, demand for dairy-crosses is very mixed. Lighter store heifers are seeing weaker prices and demand for lesser-quality types. With sales still very small, the dairy influence is having a profound effect on average prices.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is mixed in the south. Where special sales have taken place, prices have been good, but mainly for the better-quality types. Where dairy-cross weanlings are on offer, the trade is difficult, with low activity for these. Top-quality export bulls and feeding bulls are a strong trade, as too are light bulls suitable for the north African market. Weanling heifers have been a more mixed trade on account of little export activity and variable farmer demand.
Read more
Exporters and farmers underpin a strong weanling trade at Mountrath
Firm factory demand at Elphin
Strong demand for quality weanlings and short-keep cattle
Northern beef: cattle prices steady but supplies remain strong
Steady cattle trade at Swatragh Mart
The past week has seen a slight improvement in the trade in some areas, as more buyers have been present at the ringside with the onset of increased grass growth.
While the trade for good-quality cattle is still holding well, the past few weeks have seen average-quality types running about 20c/kg behind the same time last year.
Average prices at sales have been affected by increased supplies of lesser-quality cattle on offer, particularly in dairy areas, where some offloading of lesser-quality types took place. Strong export demand is underpinning special weanling sales which have taken place in recent days.
Mart managers have also said that heavy bulls are being snapped up by feedlot buyers.
Farmer activity is still good, but mainly for better-quality weanlings, while plainer weanlings and those from a dairy background are being met with increased price pressure and poor prices.
Demand for in-calf suckler cows is strong, while there are reports of some over-stocked dairy farmers selling cows in milk and in-calf heifers at reasonable prices.
Steers
Heavy bullocks are a firm trade, where the quality on offer are good. U grade bullocks over 600kg are still making well over €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg. Stores have held firm also, but average prices are well back on the same time last year. Those from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg and up to €2.40/kg for better-quality types. Farmers are a little more active for stores with the onset of a little rain, but mostly for continentals with demand for dairy crosses lagging. Where light Friesian stores are to the fore, they are a hard sell.
Heifers
The heifer trade is solid for heavy types, but the numbers of these on offer are very low. Those over 500kg are selling from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality continentals and up to €2.45/kg at the top of the trade for U grades. However, demand for dairy-crosses is very mixed. Lighter store heifers are seeing weaker prices and demand for lesser-quality types. With sales still very small, the dairy influence is having a profound effect on average prices.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is mixed in the south. Where special sales have taken place, prices have been good, but mainly for the better-quality types. Where dairy-cross weanlings are on offer, the trade is difficult, with low activity for these. Top-quality export bulls and feeding bulls are a strong trade, as too are light bulls suitable for the north African market. Weanling heifers have been a more mixed trade on account of little export activity and variable farmer demand.
Read more
Exporters and farmers underpin a strong weanling trade at Mountrath
Firm factory demand at Elphin
Strong demand for quality weanlings and short-keep cattle
Northern beef: cattle prices steady but supplies remain strong
Steady cattle trade at Swatragh Mart
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