Larger numbers have been offered in the past week and the trade has been strong. The best trade has been for forward and short-keep cattle.
Where special sales are taking place and where good-quality short-keep cattle are on offer, demand is extremely strong and prices are edging up once again. Quality is the key though at all sales.
While better-quality continental cattle are seeing prices edge up slightly, the average price paid for plainer-quality cattle and for Friesians is holding on previous weeks.
The cow trade has continued to be strong, with top-quality continental cows selling to more than €2.00/kg at many sales. The majority of short-keep continental cows are selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg, with lesser-quality types making from €1.75/kg upwards.
Feeding continental cows are steady, selling mainly from €1.60/kg to €1.75/kg. However, some plainer-quality types and old cows are selling from €1.30/kg upwards. Friesian culls are selling mainly from €1.15/kg to €1.30/kg and up to €1.50/kg for fleshed cows.
Steers
Short-keep steers have been met with a little more demand from feeders and factory agents. This has increased average prices in the MartWatch system, but this may not be a true reflection of the trade due to special sales. Bullocks over 600kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg for R grade continentals, with Angus and Hereford types selling from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg. Friesians are making from €1.60/kg to €1.75/kg. Forward bullocks are running slightly behind the same week last year at €2.14/kg.
Heifers
Heavy and short-keep heifers have seen a slight increase in prices in the past week also, driven by strong demand and special sales. The average 600kg heifer is making €2.10/kg, with U grades making over €2.40/kg in some areas. Forward heifers from 500kg to 600kg are seeing prices run slightly ahead of the same time last year at €2.10/kg. Again, quality is the main factor affecting prices, with continentals seeing the strongest demand. Stores from 400kg to 500kg are a steady to slightly improved trade, driven by farmer demand.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is holding firm, despite the weather. Farmer buyers are still active around the country, which is keeping a firm floor under the trade. Farmers seem to be buying slightly earlier this year due to good fodder reserves and to attain the seven-month retention period earlier. Average weanling prices are similar to the same time last year. The average 350kg bull is selling for €800, with heifers making €815/head. Lighter bulls from 200kg to 300kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg on average.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: beef cattle a flying trade at Gort
Camera at the Mart: Friesian cows strong in Birr
Camera at the Mart: numbers climbing in Kanturk
Camera at the Mart: cows and light stores in demand at Camlough
NI trends: cull cow prices rising as sheep trade positive
Larger numbers have been offered in the past week and the trade has been strong. The best trade has been for forward and short-keep cattle.
Where special sales are taking place and where good-quality short-keep cattle are on offer, demand is extremely strong and prices are edging up once again. Quality is the key though at all sales.
While better-quality continental cattle are seeing prices edge up slightly, the average price paid for plainer-quality cattle and for Friesians is holding on previous weeks.
The cow trade has continued to be strong, with top-quality continental cows selling to more than €2.00/kg at many sales. The majority of short-keep continental cows are selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg, with lesser-quality types making from €1.75/kg upwards.
Feeding continental cows are steady, selling mainly from €1.60/kg to €1.75/kg. However, some plainer-quality types and old cows are selling from €1.30/kg upwards. Friesian culls are selling mainly from €1.15/kg to €1.30/kg and up to €1.50/kg for fleshed cows.
Steers
Short-keep steers have been met with a little more demand from feeders and factory agents. This has increased average prices in the MartWatch system, but this may not be a true reflection of the trade due to special sales. Bullocks over 600kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg for R grade continentals, with Angus and Hereford types selling from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg. Friesians are making from €1.60/kg to €1.75/kg. Forward bullocks are running slightly behind the same week last year at €2.14/kg.
Heifers
Heavy and short-keep heifers have seen a slight increase in prices in the past week also, driven by strong demand and special sales. The average 600kg heifer is making €2.10/kg, with U grades making over €2.40/kg in some areas. Forward heifers from 500kg to 600kg are seeing prices run slightly ahead of the same time last year at €2.10/kg. Again, quality is the main factor affecting prices, with continentals seeing the strongest demand. Stores from 400kg to 500kg are a steady to slightly improved trade, driven by farmer demand.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is holding firm, despite the weather. Farmer buyers are still active around the country, which is keeping a firm floor under the trade. Farmers seem to be buying slightly earlier this year due to good fodder reserves and to attain the seven-month retention period earlier. Average weanling prices are similar to the same time last year. The average 350kg bull is selling for €800, with heifers making €815/head. Lighter bulls from 200kg to 300kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg on average.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: beef cattle a flying trade at Gort
Camera at the Mart: Friesian cows strong in Birr
Camera at the Mart: numbers climbing in Kanturk
Camera at the Mart: cows and light stores in demand at Camlough
NI trends: cull cow prices rising as sheep trade positive
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