Cattle throughput remains finely balanced between supply and demand, with factory agents very active for any stock coming on stream. More sellers have had success in recent days in securing a base of €3.85/kg and €3.95/kg for heifers.

There are still some cattle moving at the 5c/kg lower base but the volume trading at this base has fallen. Similarly, at the top end of the market, some producers with high numbers of in-spec heifers in particular have secure a base of €4.00/kg, with demand also particularly firm for traditional breeds.

Cows and bull to the rescue

Factory agents have once again turned to cows and bulls to try and supplement throughput and meet demand. Cows remain a firm trade in marts, with many sellers with small numbers weighing up their options on the most suitable sales avenue.

In the factory trade, quotes can be best described as €2.95/kg for P+3’s, €3.05/kg for O grading Friesian, €3.25/kg for R’s and €3.45/kg for U’s. Each class of animal is capable of selling for 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher where numbers are on offer and cows are ready to move quickly.

Bull prices are solid with R and U grades trading in the main for €3.80/kg and €3.90/kg respectively. Bulls under 16 months and trading on the grid are mostly trading at a base of €3.80/kg but specialised finishers with bulls under 420kg have had some luck in securing an extra 5c/kg. Friesian bulls are trading anywhere from €3.65/kg for poorer quality or aged bulls to €3.75/kg for O=/+ grading fleshed bulls.

NI trade

The northern and British trade is positive and like the south of Ireland is buoyed by tighter than anticipated supplies. Quotes in NI plants are holding strong at a U-3 base or £3.32/kg to £3.34/kg with agents having to pay £3.40/kg and above to secure sales of significant numbers.

The exchange rates remains at 86p to the euro, after last week’s rise putting base quotes (£3.32/kg to £3.34/kg) at the equivalent of €4.05/kg to €4.08/kg including VAT. British prices continue on an upward trend with prices heading north of £3.55/kg for R4L steers and heifers (€4.33/kg including VAT). This, combined with firm demand is providing positives to the trade considering the trade in many EU countries has shown some signs of improving but overall remains largely under pressure.

Live exports

Live exports for the most recent week recorded, 13 August, totalled 1,061. This was marginally ahead of the corresponding week in 2015 with exports still running some 33,060 head behind 2015 for the year to date. Exports included 352 head to Spain, 285 to Northern Ireland (half typical levels), 240 to Britain and 184 to Italy.

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Live cattle exports down 25% in 2016