A multitude of factors are feeding into the sea of red arrows we are seeing in this week’s MartBids analysis, with the primary one being a shortage of grass.
It just goes to show how dependent we are on what makes us unique to all other countries and when the wheel stops on grass growth, it really does bite.
Numbers in marts increased this week by approximately 15% on last week, according to MartBids analysis.
More forward store cattle are hitting the ring, with farmers less anxious to go out and spend money on feed and gambling with finished cattle prices later in the back end.
Heifers have been hardest hit overall, with 350kg to 500kg heifers falling between 23c and 26c/kg.
On a sample 400kg heifer, that’s a price drop of €100/head in the matter of a week.
Bullocks have been slightly less affected, but a 19c/kg drop was seen in those lighter 350kg to 400kg lots.
The majority of bullocks are clocking in at the 400kg to 500kg mark, while a significant number presenting to marts are also weighing 600kg-plus.
Factory kill sheets are also filling up due to the drought, with farmers offloading cattle sooner than anticipated.
Last week’s figures showed 29,688 cattle slaughtered in factories, while the week previous was 26,938, an increase of 2,750 head or just over 10%.
While it may not seem a lot, it does give factories that little bit of extra power and with some farmers keen to save what grass they have on farm for store cattle, many will look to offload at a lower price than they would like.
The same week last year, we had a slaughter figure of 24,502 head, meaning that we are up 17% in numbers compared with 2025.
Cull cows are always a good indicator of where beef price is going. This week, we saw average price fall away by 18c/kg to €2.80/kg.
The top third of cows fell by 22c/kg to €3.38/kg, while the bottom third fell by 18c/kg to €2.14/kg.
Again, we are seeing Friesian cows in particularly presenting at marts due to a shortage of grass in the most predominant dairy areas, which is both affecting the quality of cows as an overall average as well as the price.
Weanlings
Weanling numbers remain low, while prices have fluctuated. Bulls weighing 300kg to 400kg remain the strongest in numbers, but have dropped by 20c/kg, while heavier bulls have actually recorded a decent lift in price.
Light bull weanlings below 300kg remain a challenge and have dropped back by 48c/kg.
Heifer numbers are less than half that of bulls, with falls of 18c to 36c/kg on average price this week.
However, I would be more hopefully of weanling prices in the coming weeks, with several special sales taking place soon which should see export quality weanlings emerge, with several large exporters vying to fill orders early this year.
Hopefully, for farmers looking to sell cattle the rising tide of the weanling trade plus some rainfall to push on grass growth will see a lift in prices in the coming weeks.