The gulf between the top and bottom quality weanling continues to be large.
The main positive is that the overall number of weanlings on offer is not too large, but the trade for what is on offer is mixed.
Mart managers have said that where special sales are taking place, top-quality heavy bull weanlings suitable for finishing under 16 months are a strong trade, as are better-quality bulls from 300kg to 400kg. However, where dairy-cross weanlings and light stores are on offer, demand is weak and prices are low. In stark contrast to the weanling trade, demand for short-keep steers and heifers is very strong throughout the country and even where plainer quality types are on offer, prices are not as badly affected as they are where light stores and weanlings are on offer.
In addition, the cull cow trade continues to be a talking point across the country, with strong factory demand for manufacturing beef driving agents to pay over the odds in mart rings for top-quality heavy slaughter-fit cows.
Steers
Top-quality heavy continental steers over 600kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg in many areas, while Angus and Herefords are making from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg. Where plain Friesians are on offer, prices are ranging from €1.60/kg to €1.70/kg. Forward stores are steady but the gap between the top third and bottom third continues to widen. Light stores from 400kg to 500kg are variable, with close to €1/kg of a differential between the price paid for the top third and bottom third. Light Friesian and Jersey cross steers are struggling to make €50 along with the weight.
Heifers
The average price paid for forward heifers is running on par with the equivalent bullock. The average 600kg heifer is selling from €1,200 to €1,300, while prices of up to €2.55/kg are being paid for some exceptional-quality lots. Like bullocks the difference between the top and bottom third of lighter store heifers is vast, with farmer buyers much less active for plainer heifers leaving some sales sticky at times. The average 450kg heifer is making €950 with the bottom third making just €780/head.
Weanlings
While good-quality weanling bulls and heifers are selling for just a few euro less than the same time last year, light weanling prices are suffering the most, with the average 250kg bull running 37c/kg or €93/head behind the same week last year. The lack of strong export demand is the main issue affecting the trade, but light weanling heifers are suffering just as much as bulls. The average 350kg bull is currently making €725/head, back 22c/kg on the same week last year. The average 350kg heifer is running a little further behind the average bull.
Read more
In pictures: flying trade for ewe lambs at Armoy Mart
Camera at the mart: good value at Ballinrobe Mule sale
Beef prices slowly improving as demand grows
camera at the mart: large price gaps between top and bottom quality cattle
The gulf between the top and bottom quality weanling continues to be large.
The main positive is that the overall number of weanlings on offer is not too large, but the trade for what is on offer is mixed.
Mart managers have said that where special sales are taking place, top-quality heavy bull weanlings suitable for finishing under 16 months are a strong trade, as are better-quality bulls from 300kg to 400kg. However, where dairy-cross weanlings and light stores are on offer, demand is weak and prices are low. In stark contrast to the weanling trade, demand for short-keep steers and heifers is very strong throughout the country and even where plainer quality types are on offer, prices are not as badly affected as they are where light stores and weanlings are on offer.
In addition, the cull cow trade continues to be a talking point across the country, with strong factory demand for manufacturing beef driving agents to pay over the odds in mart rings for top-quality heavy slaughter-fit cows.
Steers
Top-quality heavy continental steers over 600kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg in many areas, while Angus and Herefords are making from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg. Where plain Friesians are on offer, prices are ranging from €1.60/kg to €1.70/kg. Forward stores are steady but the gap between the top third and bottom third continues to widen. Light stores from 400kg to 500kg are variable, with close to €1/kg of a differential between the price paid for the top third and bottom third. Light Friesian and Jersey cross steers are struggling to make €50 along with the weight.
Heifers
The average price paid for forward heifers is running on par with the equivalent bullock. The average 600kg heifer is selling from €1,200 to €1,300, while prices of up to €2.55/kg are being paid for some exceptional-quality lots. Like bullocks the difference between the top and bottom third of lighter store heifers is vast, with farmer buyers much less active for plainer heifers leaving some sales sticky at times. The average 450kg heifer is making €950 with the bottom third making just €780/head.
Weanlings
While good-quality weanling bulls and heifers are selling for just a few euro less than the same time last year, light weanling prices are suffering the most, with the average 250kg bull running 37c/kg or €93/head behind the same week last year. The lack of strong export demand is the main issue affecting the trade, but light weanling heifers are suffering just as much as bulls. The average 350kg bull is currently making €725/head, back 22c/kg on the same week last year. The average 350kg heifer is running a little further behind the average bull.
Read more
In pictures: flying trade for ewe lambs at Armoy Mart
Camera at the mart: good value at Ballinrobe Mule sale
Beef prices slowly improving as demand grows
camera at the mart: large price gaps between top and bottom quality cattle
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