Mart prices across the country are continuing to rise in line with increasing factory prices.

With many farmers refusing to sell in the yard, agents are very active at marts.

Activity is particularly strong for well-fed cattle suitable for direct slaughtering.

Steers in excess of 600kg saw average price paid at marts rise by 12c/kg on the week to stand at €2.21/kg.

This increase was even higher for better-quality continental lots, with rises of nearly 20c/kg witnessed.

The upper end of these saw the average rise to €2.44/kg, a touch higher than steers

While fit heifer data shows a significant decrease on the week, it must be noted that a few special sales with incredible prices gave a deceptive picture of true trade last week.

Overall, heifers in excess of 600kg had an average of €2.18/kg, back 3c on that of the bullocks.

The upper end of these saw the average rise to €2.44/kg, a touch higher than steers.

Big increases were also witnessed in the short-keep cattle trade, with trade for bullocks between 500kg and 600kg seeing the average rise by 19c/kg on the week.

The better-quality further-on lots witnessed a 27c/kg increase on the week to settle at €2.38/kg.

The special heifer sales held the previous week again distorted the data slightly.

This price shows a substantial decrease on the week

While it shows heifers to be back between 1c and 3c across the quality types, in fact the average of €2.17/kg is up nicely on a normal week’s trade.

With €3/kg readily available for P grading cull cows at the factory, agents and finishers are willing to pay the equivalent in the mart, with the average resting just below €1.50/kg.

This price shows a substantial decrease on the week. However, this week’s data is from nearly all dairy-bred stock.

Of the small numbers of continental stock going through the ring, buyers were willing to pay for the right type.

Top-quality, young, well-fleshed cows were hitting up to €2.80/kg. However, the majority came between the €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg bracket.

Many of these top lots of both cows and heifers are purchased by Northern buyers who are also witnessing an increasing factory price in recent weeks.

Suckler cows due to calve this spring were met with a lively trade, with some rising up to nearly €3/kg.

Overall, the top third of suckler cows sold hit an average just shy of €1,600 with overall average at €1,252

Topping trade was a three-year-old Limousin cow due early February that weighed 745kg and sold for €2,220 (€2.98/kg).

To reach near this price, the cows had to be young and well conformed from a continental descent. Many of the lots hitting this criteria could be seen making from €1,700 to €2,050.

Overall, the top third of suckler cows sold hit an average just shy of €1,600 with overall average at €1,252.

Weanlings continue to be light on the ground, particularly heifers. Those selling through the ring are making good prices, with the top third of lots sold sub-450kg averaging at just shy of €3/kg. If we look at the average weanling heifer, we see a healthy average of around €2.50/kg across the weight divisions.

Weanling bulls are also witnessing a positive trade, but not to the same heights.

Double the number of bull weanling were sold through the ring compared with heifers, with the average coming into around the €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg mark.

This average rose up 40c/kg for the top third of lots sold.

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