The weanling trade is the talking point right across the country. Despite the beef trade being on its knees, the demand for weanlings is very strong and prices of most types are not far behind the same time last year.
However, heavy bulls over 450kg are being met with much weaker demand on account of beef prices.
Specialist feeders have felt the squeeze from the reducing beef prices and, as a result, marts are saying that prices of these are back by €150 to €170/head more in cases.
Exporters have entered the fray in recent weeks and are adding to demand at weanling sales. The fact that several different exporters are sourcing for different markets has helped matters, as there they are sourcing a good variety of bulls at different weights and qualities.
The store cattle trade is holding, but further beef price pressure is placing more downward pressure on the prices of short-keep and heavy bullocks and heifers. In the south, the cow trade is still slow, with low numbers of Friesian and continental cow sales being recorded.
Steers
Heavy steers have seen further downwards price pressure. Bullocks over 600kg are selling for €1.80/kg, with prices of R+ and U grades rising to €2.10/kg. Forward stores from 500kg to 600kg are firm but some marts are seeing a little more pressure. The average 550kg steer is selling for €1,034/head with the top third making €1,188/head. Prices are running 23c/kg or €127/head behind the same week last year. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are from €1.90/kg to €1.95/kg for average-quality types with U grades making over €2.40/kg.
Heifers
Heifers have also seen price pressure. While heavy heifers over 600kg have held firm, numbers sold have been small. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg are from €1.85/kg to €1.95/kg for average-quality types, back by 22c/kg or €121/head on the same week last year. U grade heifers in the same weight range are mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg, but only in stronger suckler areas. Heifers from 400kg to 500kg have seen prices ease also, but only slightly. Average-quality types range from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg in stronger suckler areas.
Weanlings
Bar heavy bulls, the weanling trade is quite strong. MartWatch data shows that bulls from 300kg to 400kg are on par with prices paid the same time last year. In addition, heifers in the same weight range are back by just 3c/kg on the same week last year. The average 350kg weanling bull sold for €730/head, with prices a good bit higher in special weanling sales. The top third of bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold from €850 to €900/head. The average light bull from 200kg to 300kg are selling from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: exporter and farmer activity place solid floor under prices
Camera at the Mart: two-tier trade in Kenmare
Camera at the Mart: heifers and light bulls a good trade at Gort
Camera at the Mart: light stores holding steady at Omagh
NI prices: plants cut base quotes by 2p/kg; Lamb trade under pressure
The weanling trade is the talking point right across the country. Despite the beef trade being on its knees, the demand for weanlings is very strong and prices of most types are not far behind the same time last year.
However, heavy bulls over 450kg are being met with much weaker demand on account of beef prices.
Specialist feeders have felt the squeeze from the reducing beef prices and, as a result, marts are saying that prices of these are back by €150 to €170/head more in cases.
Exporters have entered the fray in recent weeks and are adding to demand at weanling sales. The fact that several different exporters are sourcing for different markets has helped matters, as there they are sourcing a good variety of bulls at different weights and qualities.
The store cattle trade is holding, but further beef price pressure is placing more downward pressure on the prices of short-keep and heavy bullocks and heifers. In the south, the cow trade is still slow, with low numbers of Friesian and continental cow sales being recorded.
Steers
Heavy steers have seen further downwards price pressure. Bullocks over 600kg are selling for €1.80/kg, with prices of R+ and U grades rising to €2.10/kg. Forward stores from 500kg to 600kg are firm but some marts are seeing a little more pressure. The average 550kg steer is selling for €1,034/head with the top third making €1,188/head. Prices are running 23c/kg or €127/head behind the same week last year. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are from €1.90/kg to €1.95/kg for average-quality types with U grades making over €2.40/kg.
Heifers
Heifers have also seen price pressure. While heavy heifers over 600kg have held firm, numbers sold have been small. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg are from €1.85/kg to €1.95/kg for average-quality types, back by 22c/kg or €121/head on the same week last year. U grade heifers in the same weight range are mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg, but only in stronger suckler areas. Heifers from 400kg to 500kg have seen prices ease also, but only slightly. Average-quality types range from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg in stronger suckler areas.
Weanlings
Bar heavy bulls, the weanling trade is quite strong. MartWatch data shows that bulls from 300kg to 400kg are on par with prices paid the same time last year. In addition, heifers in the same weight range are back by just 3c/kg on the same week last year. The average 350kg weanling bull sold for €730/head, with prices a good bit higher in special weanling sales. The top third of bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold from €850 to €900/head. The average light bull from 200kg to 300kg are selling from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: exporter and farmer activity place solid floor under prices
Camera at the Mart: two-tier trade in Kenmare
Camera at the Mart: heifers and light bulls a good trade at Gort
Camera at the Mart: light stores holding steady at Omagh
NI prices: plants cut base quotes by 2p/kg; Lamb trade under pressure
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