Despite uncertainties in the beef trade, mart prices have been robust this year.

While the first month or two saw small sales, from mid-February onwards the trade heated up, with steer and heifer prices jumping by €50 to €60/head.

Average prices for forward stores are running just slightly behind the same week last year, despite the Brexit cloud hanging over the trade.

The average 550kg steer saw prices average at €2.15/kg, just 2.5c/kg behind the same period in 2016.

Forward store heifers saw the average price rest at a similar level, just 2.3c/kg behind the same period last year.

Light store bullocks saw prices for the first four months of 2017 lag 5.5c/kg or €35/head behind the same period in 2016.

Weanling prices have held reasonably well also, but despite strong exporter and farmer demand, the average price of light weanlings under 300kg is running €28/head to €30/head back for bulls and heifers.

Weanling bulls from 300kg to 400kg have held stronger, with prices dropping by €23/head over the first four months of 2017 compared with 2016.

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Mart prices hold firm in face of Brexit

The past few months have seen relatively strong mart sales throughout the country. From mid-February onwards the trade heated up with steer and heifer prices jumping by €50 to €60/head.