The prolonged period of wet weather has forced more cattle into the marts earlier than normal as suckled calf producers have had to wean calves and house cows, and store cattle producers have moved to get cattle off wet land.

In the marts, increased numbers have put some downward pressure on prices, although the live trade has remained strong, and prices for forward stores are ahead of base quotes from the factories.

First weanling sales

The first weanling sales are seeing an average of around 245p/kg being paid for good conformation quality bulls weighing from 200kg to 300kg.

In the store rings, Irish Farmers Journal Martwatch data shows that in August and early September good quality continental steers were generally making 210p/kg, while heifers were typically averaging 212p/kg.

At these prices, a 550kg steer was worth £1,155 in early September.

However, average prices are now down by 10p/kg.

Good quality continental steers averaged 200p/kg over the past seven days, making the same 550kg steer worth £50/head less.

Despite this, taking the average live cattle price of 200p/kg, this converts to a beef price of 363p/kg, which still puts it 10p/kg to 12p/kg ahead of the best factory quotes this week.

There are still exceptional animals making as much as 220p/kg which would convert to 380p/kg to 400p/kg depending on kill-out.

Prices for plainer cattle were typically 185p/kg in early September. In recent weeks, prices have eased by 5p/kg on steers and 2p/kg on heifers.

Friesian-type cattle are holding steady at an average price of 154p to 155p/kg.

Comparison

While the mart trade is down slightly with increased numbers coming on to the market and lower factory prices, prices are now on a par with the same period last year.

However, the big difference is that while mart prices have eased during September 2017, in 2016, the live cattle trade was rising week on week.

Read more

Wind warning: five handy weather apps for farmers

Full slurry tanks and silage rotting