The mart trade has strengthened slightly again in the past week due to improved weather and much increased grass growth.

Mart managers are reporting that farmer buyers are still very active for all types of bullocks, heifers and weanlings.

Heavy beef bullocks and heifers are still a steady trade, with little to no change in prices in the past week or two. While continentals are the best trade overall, there is said to be strong demand for all types of dairy cross cattle also.

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The cow trade is stagnant, with little to no change in prices in the past few weeks. The weak beef price has led to lower prices being paid for fleshed cows in recent months.

However, the store trade is quite strong with most continentals stores carrying some flesh selling from €1.50/kg to €1.65/kg. Friesian store cows are selling from €1.10/kg to €1.25/kg depending on quality.

Steers

The positive trade at marts in the past week has translated into slightly improved prices in the MartWatch tables.

Bullocks over 600kg are a firm trade, but with more continentals on offer, average prices increased slightly. Forward store bullocks were met with slightly stronger prices, up by €25 to €30/head on last week. Better-quality stores are selling from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg on average.

Stores from 400kg to 500kg have seen prices strengthen by €28 to €40/head in some areas. The average 450kg bullock is making €2.17/kg.

Heifers

The heifer trade has seen prices strengthen also. Heavy beef heifers are a steady trade.

However, heifers from 500kg to 600kg have seen prices improve by 2c to 5c/kg. The best improvement has come for heifers from 400kg to 500kg.

Mart managers report much improved farmer demand for these and prices have improved by about 6c/kg.

The average 450kg heifer is making €2.21/kg while the top third are selling with ease from €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg. Plainer quality types in the same weight range sold from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg.

Weanlings

The weanling trade has seen a bit more positivity in the past week also. There is a little more exporter activity, but farmer demand is the main driver of prices in marts.

Heavy bulls are a little improved for better-quality types, while the main run of bulls from 300kg to 400kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average types with better types making over €2.80/kg in stronger suckler areas.

The heifer trade saw a slightly stronger improvement in prices with the average 350kg heifer making €2.30/kg or €810/head.