Weanling numbers have seen a big lift in Skibbereen Mart, coming on the back of last week’s show and sale, with over 600 weanlings on offer.
Lighter weanlings under 350kg dominated numbers in this week’s sale. Trade was brisk for continentals, with up to €2.80/kg available.
Current trade
Speaking on the current weanling trade in Skibbereen, mart manager Tom McCarthy said: “I’m very impressed with the quality of stock farmers in the area are bringing out. Weanlings are weighing better than a lot of people thought they would.
"A lot of what was on offer at the show and sale were weighing 380kg to 400kg and they sold very well. Most sold for €2.40/kg to €2.90/kg. Demand is as strong as it was last year. There was a lot of Charolais on sale last week and it was good to see and they sold well. “
Angus and Hereford weanling bulls were making from €1.95/kg to €2.20/kg, while weanling heifers sold for up to €2.70/kg.
Bullocks
There was a good turnout of forward store bullocks with weight for age dictating a lot of the pricing, with those over 450kg especially sought after.
Farmer buyers were very active for continental bullocks with prices for these going up to €2.40/kg.
For the more traditional beef breeds, feedlot buyers were to the fore. The majority of these sold from €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg with a few falling either side of this price range.
2017 born bullock sample prices
Cows
There was exceptional demand for well-fleshed suckler cull cows, with prices up to €600 with their weight available. Feeder beef cows were selling for under €1.30/kg.
Dairy cull cows were in short supply and that can be put down to current good grazing conditions and a strong west Cork milk price. Dairy cull cows have been slower to appear than other years but the fact there was stronger culling during the drought period saw farmers sell these earlier too.
Dry cow sample prices
Holstein bulls sell to 2,900gns at Kilrea