Despite doom and gloom last week, the mart trade has shown increased resilience in the face of uncertainty. Numbers continue to increase, but so too has feedlot buyer activity and farmer activity.
The increased presence of feedlot buyers has given a positive signal in terms of what may be to come and there is no doubt that farmers are looking at this positively.
The main factor driving the increased demand is earlier grass buyer activity.
This time last year we had the beast from the east, but with summer-like weather over the past week and with good ground conditions, farmers are opting to source cattle to eat the high grass covers.
There are quite a number of suckler clearance and special in-calf continental heifer sales taking place at the moment.
The trade for these is quality-based, with better types on the point of calving making from €1,800 to €2,000.
Prices in the main are averaging from €1,500 to €1,700 with very few on offer below this.
Steers
The bullock trade has seen beef types ease slightly once again, as factories capitalise on current uncertainty. However, more feedlots are buying heavy bullocks and heifers for feeding. Those over 600kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg and up to €2.40/kg for U grades. Stores from 500kg to 600kg are slightly improved, with farmer buyers driving the trade. The average 550kg bullock is making €1,200/head. Lighter stores are an improved trade. The average 450kg steer is at €980, just €45 less than the same time last year.
Heifers
The heifer trade is steady, but some marts are reporting prices a little easier. This is mainly quality-dependent, with top-quality store heifers running slightly behind last year. Heavy heifers over 600kg are easier on account of the beef trade, but stores are actually improved. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg and to over €2.15/kg in some areas, with the top third making over €2.45/kg at select sales. Light store heifers have seen prices increase marginally on last week driven by strong farmer demand.
Weanlings
The weanling trade has improved. Specialist feeders are more active for forward bulls and in turn are leading to increase prices. The average 500kg U bull is making €1,260/head. Weanling bulls from 300kg to 400kg saw prices improve by €15 to €20/head on last week. The average 350kg bull is making €808, with heifers making €15 to €20 more than this. Light bulls and heifers have seen prices improve by 7c to 12c/kg. The average 280kg bull is making €652, with heifers making €670/head.
Read more
Camera at the mart: quality cattle in demand at Dungannon Mart
Camera at the mart: Friesian bulls selling from €25 to €90/head
Camera at the mart: feeder and farmer demand drives prices at Gort
Northern view: beef prices steady as trade remains slow
Despite doom and gloom last week, the mart trade has shown increased resilience in the face of uncertainty. Numbers continue to increase, but so too has feedlot buyer activity and farmer activity.
The increased presence of feedlot buyers has given a positive signal in terms of what may be to come and there is no doubt that farmers are looking at this positively.
The main factor driving the increased demand is earlier grass buyer activity.
This time last year we had the beast from the east, but with summer-like weather over the past week and with good ground conditions, farmers are opting to source cattle to eat the high grass covers.
There are quite a number of suckler clearance and special in-calf continental heifer sales taking place at the moment.
The trade for these is quality-based, with better types on the point of calving making from €1,800 to €2,000.
Prices in the main are averaging from €1,500 to €1,700 with very few on offer below this.
Steers
The bullock trade has seen beef types ease slightly once again, as factories capitalise on current uncertainty. However, more feedlots are buying heavy bullocks and heifers for feeding. Those over 600kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg and up to €2.40/kg for U grades. Stores from 500kg to 600kg are slightly improved, with farmer buyers driving the trade. The average 550kg bullock is making €1,200/head. Lighter stores are an improved trade. The average 450kg steer is at €980, just €45 less than the same time last year.
Heifers
The heifer trade is steady, but some marts are reporting prices a little easier. This is mainly quality-dependent, with top-quality store heifers running slightly behind last year. Heavy heifers over 600kg are easier on account of the beef trade, but stores are actually improved. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg and to over €2.15/kg in some areas, with the top third making over €2.45/kg at select sales. Light store heifers have seen prices increase marginally on last week driven by strong farmer demand.
Weanlings
The weanling trade has improved. Specialist feeders are more active for forward bulls and in turn are leading to increase prices. The average 500kg U bull is making €1,260/head. Weanling bulls from 300kg to 400kg saw prices improve by €15 to €20/head on last week. The average 350kg bull is making €808, with heifers making €15 to €20 more than this. Light bulls and heifers have seen prices improve by 7c to 12c/kg. The average 280kg bull is making €652, with heifers making €670/head.
Read more
Camera at the mart: quality cattle in demand at Dungannon Mart
Camera at the mart: Friesian bulls selling from €25 to €90/head
Camera at the mart: feeder and farmer demand drives prices at Gort
Northern view: beef prices steady as trade remains slow
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