Mart managers have said that prices have started to steady again slightly in the past week, after a slippage in the past few weeks. The cattle worst affected by weak demand have been plainer types, Friesians and store cows.

Over the past few weeks, the effects of a more difficult beef trade has had an impact on buyer confidence.

While fleshed cows continue to hold fairly well, feeding types are coming under more pressure.

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Feeding-type continental cows are making from €1.30/kg to €1.65/kg, with fleshed types making from €1.70/kg to €1.90/kg. Only top-quality types and cow heifers are making over €1.95/kg. Feeding Friesian cows are making from €1.00/kg to €1.35/kg.

Forward weanling bulls are being met with a little more pressure also, but, in the main, good-quality weanling prices are holding firm, according to most mart managers.

Steers

MartWatch data has shown that average prices have eased again slightly. However, this is due to a combination of smaller sales and more plainer-quality animals available in some parts of the country. Where good-quality stores are on offer, prices are holding firm. R and U grades over 500kg are making from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg in many areas. Angus and Herefords are making from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg, while lighter steers are selling mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg for better-quality types.

Heifers

Mart managers have commented that forward heifers, although only available in small numbers, are being met with slightly lower demand and, as a result, have been a little slower to sell. Good-quality store heifers continue to be strong. Average-quality R grade heifers over 500kg are making from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg, with top-quality types making up to €2.45/kg. Lighter store continental heifers are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg. The average 450kg heifer is currently making from €950 to €1,050.

Weanlings

Weanling heifers have held firm, but there has been pressure on weanling bull prices in some areas. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg are making from €2.25/kg to €2.45/kg for average-quality types, with the top third making from €2.60/kg to €2.70/kg. Forward bulls over 400kg have seen prices ease by €20 to €40/head in some areas, although mart managers are saying that finishers continue to be active. Heifers from 300kg to 400kg are making from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg, with top-quality types making from €2.60/kg to €2.80/kg.

Read more

Read this week's Camera at the Mart here

Read this week's mart report from New Ross here

Read this week's mart report from Ballymena here