The mart trade continues to be extremely strong right across the country, with farmers, feeders and exporters all active for stock.
The main talking point has been the cull cow trade. Feedlot buyers and factory agents are extremely active for all well-fleshed cows, with some wholesale buyers igniting the trade at certain marts.
This has led to well-fleshed continental cull cows selling for over €2.10/kg at some sales. The majority of U grade cows over 800kg are selling from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg, with a premium for cow-heifers.
Demand for feeding cows has improved also, with farmers actively sourcing right across the country. The majority of continental store cows are selling mainly from €1.65/kg to €1.80/kg, depending on age and quality.
In the south, the number of Friesian cull cows on offer has increased, but so too has demand. Mart managers have said that the majority of cows on offer are of slightly better quality than the same time last year.
A high proportion of cows on offer are dry for a month to six weeks and are carrying a little more condition than last year. Prices for the average feeding cow are ranging mainly from €1.10/kg to €1.30/kg. Jersey-cross cows are selling from €0.80/kg to €0.90/kg.
Steers
Heavy fleshed bullocks are a firm trade, with factory agents and feeders active for all short-keep types. The average 600kg bullock is making €2.00/kg or €1,200/head. The top third are making from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg or €1,330 for 600kg. Bullocks from 500kg to 600kg are a steady trade also, with average bullocks selling from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg or €1,130 for 550kg. MartWatch figures show that light stores from 400kg to 500kg are selling from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg for average-quality bullocks, with average prices closer to €2.20/kg.
Heifers
Heifer prices have improved slightly in the past week, with those from 500kg to 600kg selling for €2.06/kg or €1,130/head. The top third are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg. Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.05/kg to €2.15/kg, 3c/kg behind last year. The top third of heifers are selling mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg or €1,090/head for 450kg. Where plainer-quality Angus and Herefords are on offer from a dairy background, prices have improved in recent weeks, with prices averaging from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg.
Weanlings
The weanling bull trade is strong and steady. At the top end of the market, farmers are the main buyers, with some exporters active for top-quality muscled bulls. The average 300kg to 400kg weanling bull is selling from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg or €825 for the average 350kg bull. The top third are selling for €2.70/kg or €945/head. Heifers are selling at similar levels on a price-per-kilo basis, with the average 350kg heifer at €810/head. Exporter activity has increased in the south for plainer-quality light Angus and Hereford weanlings.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: strong demand and prices for stores and cows
Camera at the Mart: strong demand for quality young cows at Cahir
Camera at the Mart: strong factory and butcher demand at Tullamore sheep sale
Camera at the Mart: sharp cattle trade at Saintfield Mart
NI trends: deals on in-spec cattle; fat ewe trade improving
The mart trade continues to be extremely strong right across the country, with farmers, feeders and exporters all active for stock.
The main talking point has been the cull cow trade. Feedlot buyers and factory agents are extremely active for all well-fleshed cows, with some wholesale buyers igniting the trade at certain marts.
This has led to well-fleshed continental cull cows selling for over €2.10/kg at some sales. The majority of U grade cows over 800kg are selling from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg, with a premium for cow-heifers.
Demand for feeding cows has improved also, with farmers actively sourcing right across the country. The majority of continental store cows are selling mainly from €1.65/kg to €1.80/kg, depending on age and quality.
In the south, the number of Friesian cull cows on offer has increased, but so too has demand. Mart managers have said that the majority of cows on offer are of slightly better quality than the same time last year.
A high proportion of cows on offer are dry for a month to six weeks and are carrying a little more condition than last year. Prices for the average feeding cow are ranging mainly from €1.10/kg to €1.30/kg. Jersey-cross cows are selling from €0.80/kg to €0.90/kg.
Steers
Heavy fleshed bullocks are a firm trade, with factory agents and feeders active for all short-keep types. The average 600kg bullock is making €2.00/kg or €1,200/head. The top third are making from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg or €1,330 for 600kg. Bullocks from 500kg to 600kg are a steady trade also, with average bullocks selling from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg or €1,130 for 550kg. MartWatch figures show that light stores from 400kg to 500kg are selling from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg for average-quality bullocks, with average prices closer to €2.20/kg.
Heifers
Heifer prices have improved slightly in the past week, with those from 500kg to 600kg selling for €2.06/kg or €1,130/head. The top third are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg. Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.05/kg to €2.15/kg, 3c/kg behind last year. The top third of heifers are selling mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg or €1,090/head for 450kg. Where plainer-quality Angus and Herefords are on offer from a dairy background, prices have improved in recent weeks, with prices averaging from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg.
Weanlings
The weanling bull trade is strong and steady. At the top end of the market, farmers are the main buyers, with some exporters active for top-quality muscled bulls. The average 300kg to 400kg weanling bull is selling from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg or €825 for the average 350kg bull. The top third are selling for €2.70/kg or €945/head. Heifers are selling at similar levels on a price-per-kilo basis, with the average 350kg heifer at €810/head. Exporter activity has increased in the south for plainer-quality light Angus and Hereford weanlings.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: strong demand and prices for stores and cows
Camera at the Mart: strong demand for quality young cows at Cahir
Camera at the Mart: strong factory and butcher demand at Tullamore sheep sale
Camera at the Mart: sharp cattle trade at Saintfield Mart
NI trends: deals on in-spec cattle; fat ewe trade improving
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