Weanling prices have risen this week, helped by good weather and the arrival of more autumn special sales featuring quality stock.

The fine week has seen farmers busy elsewhere. Therefore, throughput at many marts was lower. That is credited with stopping the decline in prices seen in recent weeks.

Some managers report prices recovering by €10- €20/head for better quality animals.

Meanwhile, special weanling and store sales have increased in frequency and this is reflected in a rise in average MartWatch prices.

Weanling bulls of 300kg to 400kg and R or potential U grade quality are generally selling for between €2.30/kg and €2.60/kg.

Top animals are fetching up to €2.80/kg.

There is some export activity, but this is mainly limited to top-quality double-muscled bulls, with prices ranging from an average of €2.75/kg to €2.95/kg and in some cases exceeding €3.00/kg.

Specialised finishers are buying heavier weanling and weaned bulls of 400kg to 480kg at €2.40/kg to €2.65/kg.

Farmers are also driving the trade for weanling heifers. R and U grade types of 300kg to 400kg are fetching between €2.40/kg and €2.75/kg, with another 10c to 15c/kg for top-quality animals.

Plainer quality heifers are selling back to €2.20/kg.