2025 witnessed more farmers opt to market slaughter-fit cattle live and this trend looks set to continue in 2026.

Carnew Mart in Co Wicklow reported its largest entry of bullocks and bulls in the bullock and bull fatstock show and sale on Saturday.

Manager David Quinn reported on a vibrant sale where over 20 bullocks sold in excess of €4,000/head including a handful of bullocks exceeding one tonne weight and the 990kg show champion which topped at €4,760.

David said that continental-bred beef cattle sold upwards of €4/kg with competition from factory agents, buyers from Northern Ireland and wholesalers pushing prices for a significant percentage of cattle to between €4.40/kg and €5/kg.

Some lesser-quality cattle bred from the dairy herd and stock, with age not on their side dropped below the €4/kg, selling back to €3.70/kg.

Average prices

Martbids analysis shows the top third of bullocks and bulls weighing 600kg-plus averaging €4.56/kg, with the average price recorded at €4.19/kg and the bottom third at €3.82/kg.

The trend was very similar for lots weighing from 500kg to 600kg at €4.50/kg, €4.11/kg and €3.79/kg for the top third, average and bottom third of lots.

There was a sharp trade for quality store bullocks weighing 400kg to 500kg with the top third averaging €5.33/kg and selling to upwards of €5.50/kg.

The average price was €4.44/kg, with dairy crosses from €3.80/kg to €4.30/kg.

Weanling bulls

Weanling bulls realised a higher price per kilo with the top third of 300kg to 400kg bulls averaging just over €6/kg.

The average price was €5.37/kg with the bottom third selling for €4.80/kg.

David said there was some worry that exporters would not be active given the bluetongue virus outbreak, but six companies were active purchasing over 50% of lighter bulls.

Specialist feeders drove demand for heavier bulls with exporters active for select lots.

Bulls weighing 400kg to 450kg averaged almost €5/kg, with the top third at €5.53/kg.

Dry cows

Similarly weanling bulls over 450kg averaged €4.92/kg with the top third selling for €5.53/kg and the bottom third for €4.40/kg.

There was an entry of over 175 dry cows on Friday last, with the majority being dairy cows as many farmers held continental cows for Friday’s annual fatstock show and sale.

The small entry of continental cows sold to €4/kg, with fleshed Friesians from €2.60/kg to €3.20/kg and back to €2.30/kg for plainer-quality lots.

In pictures

This pair of Charolais-cross bullocks averaging 732kg and born 27/02/24 and 23/08/24 sold for €3,170 (€4.33/kg).

This 590kg Limousin-cross bullock born 22/11/23 sold for €2,440 (€4.14/kg).

Weighing 738kg, this Limousin-cross bullock born 05/04/24 sold for €3,250 (€4.40/kg).

This Limousin-cross bullock weighing 636kg and born 17/03/24 sold for €2,890 (€4.54/kg).

This well-fleshed Limousin-cross bullock weighing 694kg and born 18/04/24 sold for €3,030 (€4.37/kg).

This Limousin-cross bullock weighing 634kg and born 10/04/23 sold for €2,350 (€3.71/kg).

This Charolais-cross bullock weighing 744kg and born 28/03/24 sold for €3,240 (€4.35/kg).

This 834kg Charolais-cross bull born 05/04/24 sold for €3,440 (€4.13/kg).

Three Hereford-cross and Simmental-cross bullocks averaging 626kg and born from 14/12/23 to 05/03/24 sold for €2,360 (€3.77/kg).

This 750kg Charolais-cross bull born 12/04/24 sold for €3,200 (€4.27/kg).

Weighing 712kg, this Charolais-cross bullock born 18/05/23 sold for €2,950 (€4.14/kg).

This Limousin-cross weighing 726kg and born 22/03/24 sold for €3,220 (€4.44/kg).

Weighing 690kg, this Charolais-cross born 01/04/24 sold for €3,040 (€4.41/kg).

This aged Limousin-cross bullock weighing 642kg and born 14/03/23 sold for €2,440 (€3.80/kg).

This Aubrac bullock weighing 738kg and born 01/07/23 sold for €3,020 (€4.09/kg).

This 680kg Limousin-cross bullock born 09/04/24 sold for €2,960 (€4.35/kg).

Weighing 642kg, this Charolais-cross bullock born 23/11/23 sold for €2,470 (€3.85/kg).