Last year was a difficult one for almost all weanling producers right across the country. While the spring saw a relatively good trade for weanlings, the autumn trade saw significant challenges for farmers in terms of prices and demand.

With a much increased focus on quality, the gap between the top and bottom third of weanlings in all categories increased again this year. The top third of weanling bulls from 300kg to 400kg sold for €382/head more for 350kg than the bottom third. The average 350kg bull in the top third of quality sold for €2.77/kg, just 2c/kg or just €7/head less than last year. However, the bottom third of bulls sold for €1.68/kg, some 10c/kg or €30/head to €40/head less than in 2017. The average 350kg weanling bull sold for €805/head or €2.30/kg over the course of 2018, some 6c/kg or €21/head less than in 2017.

If we look at weanling bulls from 200kg to 300kg, a similar trend is evident, but on a price per kilo basis, the gap between the average price paid for the top third and bottom third of weanlings stands at €1.26/kg. On a per head basis, for the average 250kg weanling, this amounts to a gap of €315/head between the top and bottom third. The top 250kg bulls sold for €745/head, while the bottom third sold for €430/head with the average 250kg bull making €610/head. The average 250kg bull saw prices fall by 10c/kg or €25/head on 2017 levels, while the bottom third saw prices ease by 13c/kg or €33/head. The top third were met with price decreases also, with a reduction of 6c/kg or €15/head.

A similar trend was evident in weanling heifer prices. The price gap between the top and bottom third of heifers from 300kg to 400kg was €0.97/kg or €340/head for a 350kg heifer. The top third of heifers from 300kg to 400kg sold for €2.67/kg or €935/kg, a drop of 4c/kg or just €14/head. The average 350kg heifer sold for €2.24/kg or €784 for the average 350kg heifer. The bottom third of heifers in the same weight category sold for just €1.70/kg, a drop of 17c/kg on 2017.

Heifers from 200kg to 300kg saw a larger price gap of €1.10/kg or €275/head for a 250kg heifer. The top third of heifers from 200kg to 300kg sold for €2.86/kg or €715/head, while the average heifer in the same weight range sold for €2.24/kg or €560/head. A greater dairy cross influence and low live exports did take a toll on the average price paid for the bottom third of heifers from 200kg to 300kg which averaged at €1.76/kg, a drop of €23c/kg or €58/head on the 2017 levels.

10c/kg back on five-year average

Further analysis of MartWatch figures show that the average price for a 300kg to 400kg heifer in 2018 was €2.24/kg, some 10c/kg less than the average price paid over the past five years. Weanling bulls in the same weight range were not back as much on price as the average of the last five years compared to heifers. The average bull sold for €2.30/kg in 2018, just 5c/kg less than the average of the last five years.

Prices down €63 from peak

The peak of weanling prices occurred in 2015 when the average 350kg bull sold for €868/head. In 2018, they sold for €805 on average, a drop of €63/head less than at peak. The same was seen for heifers, with a price peak in 2015 at €879/head while in 2018 they averaged €784/head, some €95/head of a drop from peak.

Autumn weanling prices back €35 to €70/head

Analysis of MartWatch prices from September to the end of November have shown that the average 350kg weanling bull sold for €791/head, back €35/head on the same time last year. However, the bottom third of weanlings have been met with a drop of close to €60/head on the same time last year as farmers focus on buying better quality stock.

In contrast, the top 10% of weanling bulls are selling at the same level as the same quality last year. When we look at weanling heifers, the change is stark, with the bottom third of weanling heifers seeing prices back by €70/head while the top 10% are running €20/head behind the same time last year.

The absence of the live export trade for light weanling bulls has played the largest role in the reduced demand for these bulls.

The store trade has held much stronger than weanlings. The average 550kg steer saw prices ease by just €16/head from September 2018 to the same period in 2017 while the top third saw little change at all. When we look at the bottom third, average prices are running just €28/head behind the same time last year. However, this gap has intensified in recent weeks.

The store heifer trade has mirrored the steer trade, with MartWatch analysis showing that during the period from September to November 2018 v 2017 average prices for forward stores were just 2c/kg lower. Store heifers from 400kg to 500kg saw a slightly easier trade with average prices back by €27/head.