With strong cattle prices and weanling sales kicking off across the country, the Irish Farmers Journal spoke with mart managers to get their verdict on the fast approaching autumn trade.
‘The right ingredients for a good back end’
David Quinn, Carnew Mart.
David Quinn, Carnew Mart, Co Wicklow
“At our sale on Sunday last, there was a seriously strong appetite for beef cattle, driven by heightened activity from northern buyers. Local demand is also on the up with surplus grass available.
“We had a hot bullock sale recently, with 420kg Charolais making €1,210 each.
“There is just the right ingredients to make the recipe for a good back end to the year. Exporters are going to be active, farmers with reduced cattle numbers are in line for cash from the various schemes and a surplus grass is available on many farms.
“Good continental weanling numbers are back by up to 30% this year. Overall, the number of cattle moving through the mart is on the up, but this increase has come from the dairy sector. It’s a sign of the times with a sustained exit from suckler farming.”
‘Farmers have moved early’
Michael Harty, Roscrea Mart.
Michael Harty, Roscrea Mart, Co Offaly
“Cattle have been making great prices in recent months, which has been supported by an abundance of grass. We have seen a huge number of Angus and Hereford stock moving through the mart in recent weeks.
“I’m not sure if the prices will be as high moving into the autumn and I’m not sure if the supply will be as great either. We have seen a lot of cattle moved in recent weeks, farmers have moved early with stock to avail of the great prices.
“The early move on stock will likely lead to reduced numbers in the coming weeks. We’ve seen a good mix of stock from both suckler and dairy farms, consistent with previous years.”
‘Prices for weanlings are on the up’
Martin McNamara, Ennis Mart.
Martin McNamara, Ennis Mart, Co Clare
“Trade has been very good in recent months and numbers have been high at recent sales, with 600 bullocks sold recently. We run weanling sales all year and there is a strong supply at the minute.
“Prices for weanlings are on the up and, in most instances, are between €60 and €70 ahead of last year.
“Demand has been driven by those buying weanlings for Turkey export. A good R grade weanling, which is between 270kg and 310kg, is most suited for export and is in high demand.”
Jonathan O'Sullivan, Cahir Mart.
Jonathan O'Sullivan, Cahir Mart, Co Tipperary
“Sales are going very well at the moment, especially for the good in-spec cattle. On the other hand, prices have dried up notably for the lighter stock.
“All Angus cattle have been selling very well and this looks set to continue. Bullocks over 30 months that are now out of spec are selling poorly, which is to be expected.
“Weanling sales are to begin in the coming weeks and we are hopeful that the prices will hold up. There are some great suckler stock in this part of the country, so we are expecting to have good strong weanlings on show.”
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With strong cattle prices and weanling sales kicking off across the country, the Irish Farmers Journal spoke with mart managers to get their verdict on the fast approaching autumn trade.
‘The right ingredients for a good back end’
David Quinn, Carnew Mart.
David Quinn, Carnew Mart, Co Wicklow
“At our sale on Sunday last, there was a seriously strong appetite for beef cattle, driven by heightened activity from northern buyers. Local demand is also on the up with surplus grass available.
“We had a hot bullock sale recently, with 420kg Charolais making €1,210 each.
“There is just the right ingredients to make the recipe for a good back end to the year. Exporters are going to be active, farmers with reduced cattle numbers are in line for cash from the various schemes and a surplus grass is available on many farms.
“Good continental weanling numbers are back by up to 30% this year. Overall, the number of cattle moving through the mart is on the up, but this increase has come from the dairy sector. It’s a sign of the times with a sustained exit from suckler farming.”
‘Farmers have moved early’
Michael Harty, Roscrea Mart.
Michael Harty, Roscrea Mart, Co Offaly
“Cattle have been making great prices in recent months, which has been supported by an abundance of grass. We have seen a huge number of Angus and Hereford stock moving through the mart in recent weeks.
“I’m not sure if the prices will be as high moving into the autumn and I’m not sure if the supply will be as great either. We have seen a lot of cattle moved in recent weeks, farmers have moved early with stock to avail of the great prices.
“The early move on stock will likely lead to reduced numbers in the coming weeks. We’ve seen a good mix of stock from both suckler and dairy farms, consistent with previous years.”
‘Prices for weanlings are on the up’
Martin McNamara, Ennis Mart.
Martin McNamara, Ennis Mart, Co Clare
“Trade has been very good in recent months and numbers have been high at recent sales, with 600 bullocks sold recently. We run weanling sales all year and there is a strong supply at the minute.
“Prices for weanlings are on the up and, in most instances, are between €60 and €70 ahead of last year.
“Demand has been driven by those buying weanlings for Turkey export. A good R grade weanling, which is between 270kg and 310kg, is most suited for export and is in high demand.”
Jonathan O'Sullivan, Cahir Mart.
Jonathan O'Sullivan, Cahir Mart, Co Tipperary
“Sales are going very well at the moment, especially for the good in-spec cattle. On the other hand, prices have dried up notably for the lighter stock.
“All Angus cattle have been selling very well and this looks set to continue. Bullocks over 30 months that are now out of spec are selling poorly, which is to be expected.
“Weanling sales are to begin in the coming weeks and we are hopeful that the prices will hold up. There are some great suckler stock in this part of the country, so we are expecting to have good strong weanlings on show.”
Read more
Farmers urged to mask up at the marts
Irish Farmers Journal Martbids Weanling Watch launched
On the Ground: what farmers think of the new €50m scheme
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