The mart trade remains relatively quiet, with the exception of infrequent special sales of autumn-born weanlings.
The trade in these sales is variable, with the current depressed factory bull trade having a negative influence on price. Bulls weighing 470kg to 550kg are trading from €1.90/kg for R grading types and €2.00/kg to €2.05/kg for U grading lots, with the best lots selling in cases to €2.10/kg to €2.15/kg.
Lesser-quality types are selling back to €1.75/kg to €1.80/kg. The trade dipped at this stage last year due to drought but it is generally back 25c/kg to 35c/kg on average 2018 prices, with fewer customers in the market. Lighter or younger bulls suitable for a longer keep or castration are meeting a slightly better trade, with prices detailed below.
Beef challenges
Beef challenges are also taking the bite out of the trade for short-keep stock, which is not surprising.
Yearling stores, however, are meeting a better demand, with more farmers in the mix due to positive grass supplies but wanting to insulate themselves from the trade this autumn and push finishing dates forward.
Steers
Mart managers report buyers being more conscious of animals hitting factory specification when slaughtered. This is leading to lower demand in cases for steers which will exceed 30 months of age when finished or fail to tick the boxes on quality assurance and movements. Bullocks over 550kg remain at a price range starting at €1.75/kg for plain O grades and rising to €1.90/kg to €2.05/kg for better-quality R/U- grades. Yearling continental stores range from €2/kg to €2.20/kg, with a small cohort of top-quality lots rising to €2.30/kg.
Heifers
Heavier lots range on average from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg. Top prices for heifers from 400kg to 450kg range from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg, with a few exceptional types to €2.30/kg and possibly higher. Traditional breed heifers range from €1.70/kg to €1.90/kg, with growth potential and the final carcase weight having a major influence on price. There are more of these type of heifers being presented fleshed in marts at a liveweight of 480kg to 520kg and fit for slaughter. The lower final-sale value is being passed back to the mart trade.
Weanlings
As mentioned above, there is slightly more demand for lighter weanlings. The quality of weanlings is being boosted by grass supplies and weather, with many weighing 15kg to 25kg higher and some as high as 40kg to 50kg depending on dates of birth and if creep was being offered. Prices for 300kg to 350kg lots range from €2/kg for plainer types to €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg for better-quality types, while prices for bulls weighing less than 280kg are reaching a top of €2.50/kg to €2.75/kg. Friesians are back at €1.15/kg to €1.40/kg.
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Flying demand for store lambs in Ballinasloe
What’s on in the marts this week?
The mart trade remains relatively quiet, with the exception of infrequent special sales of autumn-born weanlings.
The trade in these sales is variable, with the current depressed factory bull trade having a negative influence on price. Bulls weighing 470kg to 550kg are trading from €1.90/kg for R grading types and €2.00/kg to €2.05/kg for U grading lots, with the best lots selling in cases to €2.10/kg to €2.15/kg.
Lesser-quality types are selling back to €1.75/kg to €1.80/kg. The trade dipped at this stage last year due to drought but it is generally back 25c/kg to 35c/kg on average 2018 prices, with fewer customers in the market. Lighter or younger bulls suitable for a longer keep or castration are meeting a slightly better trade, with prices detailed below.
Beef challenges
Beef challenges are also taking the bite out of the trade for short-keep stock, which is not surprising.
Yearling stores, however, are meeting a better demand, with more farmers in the mix due to positive grass supplies but wanting to insulate themselves from the trade this autumn and push finishing dates forward.
Steers
Mart managers report buyers being more conscious of animals hitting factory specification when slaughtered. This is leading to lower demand in cases for steers which will exceed 30 months of age when finished or fail to tick the boxes on quality assurance and movements. Bullocks over 550kg remain at a price range starting at €1.75/kg for plain O grades and rising to €1.90/kg to €2.05/kg for better-quality R/U- grades. Yearling continental stores range from €2/kg to €2.20/kg, with a small cohort of top-quality lots rising to €2.30/kg.
Heifers
Heavier lots range on average from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg. Top prices for heifers from 400kg to 450kg range from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg, with a few exceptional types to €2.30/kg and possibly higher. Traditional breed heifers range from €1.70/kg to €1.90/kg, with growth potential and the final carcase weight having a major influence on price. There are more of these type of heifers being presented fleshed in marts at a liveweight of 480kg to 520kg and fit for slaughter. The lower final-sale value is being passed back to the mart trade.
Weanlings
As mentioned above, there is slightly more demand for lighter weanlings. The quality of weanlings is being boosted by grass supplies and weather, with many weighing 15kg to 25kg higher and some as high as 40kg to 50kg depending on dates of birth and if creep was being offered. Prices for 300kg to 350kg lots range from €2/kg for plainer types to €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg for better-quality types, while prices for bulls weighing less than 280kg are reaching a top of €2.50/kg to €2.75/kg. Friesians are back at €1.15/kg to €1.40/kg.
Read more
Flying demand for store lambs in Ballinasloe
What’s on in the marts this week?
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