The past week has seen the resumption of normal service at marts around the country. Sale numbers continue to be very small throughout the country, but the trade has been said to be firm.

In some areas, there are reports that feedlot buyers are active once again for forward stores. Angus and Hereford cattle have been met with a slight price increase as a result. Farmer and feeder demand for top-quality continental steers and heifers remains steady also.

Factory agent demand for fleshed cull cows and short keep cows has increased and prices have edged up slightly as a result.

The weanling and light store cattle trade have remained firm, but with numbers small, the quality of weanlings and stores on offer has been a little mixed.

Steers

Demand for store bullocks is firm and slightly increased in some areas with more feedlot activity. Continental bullocks over 600kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.25/kg where U grades are on offer. Angus and Hereford bullocks in the same weight range are making from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg. Those from 500kg to 600kg are said to be steady and are selling from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg for average-quality types, with U grades making over €2.20/kg. Light stores over 400kg are steady, but prices are more variable where quality is mixed.

Heifers

Like steers, the trade for heifers in the past week has been similar to sales before Christmas. Numbers on offer remain quite limited. The best prices are being paid for forward heifers over 500kg. Average-quality R grade store heifers are making €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg, with better-quality U grades making up to €2.30/kg in some areas. Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg have been a little more variable than forward stores, but where good-quality types are on offer, prices are firm.

Weanlings

Again, the number of weanlings on offer has been quite small, but demand is strong, especially for good-quality bulls and heifers over 350kg. In some cases, mart managers have said that prices of these types have actually strengthened slightly. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg for average-quality types, with the top third in terms of quality making from €2.60/kg to €2.80/kg. Light bulls and heifers from 200kg to 300kg are making from €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg where continental-bred calves are on offer.

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