The past week has seen reduced numbers passing through marts. While the trade for all better-quality continental cattle has held firm, mart managers have commented that plainer-quality cattle have seen prices ease slightly.
In dairy strongholds, the trend has been similar, but the impact on plainer cattle was not quite as bad. The best trade throughout the country continues to be better-quality cattle over 500kg. Finisher demand for these has been said to be strong, with many feeders slaughtering cattle now back out restocking sheds.
The weanling trade has received a boost from buyers sourcing weanlings for the Turkish market. While they have been active in recent weeks also, mart managers have commented that they are now keeping a firm floor under the prices of weanlings, particularly average- to lesser-quality light types, with dwindling farmer demand.
Where cow-calf units are on offer, they are being met with firm farmer demand, while older outfits are being snapped up with a view of weaning calves and bringing the cows on for slaughter.
Steers
The bullock trade is best at the higher weights, with most R grade 550kg bullocks making over €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg and up to €2.40/kg where the quality on offer is a little better. Plainer types are still making from €2.05/kg to €2.15/kg, while U grades are making over €2.40/kg. Forward stores over 500kg are a strong trade also, selling at similar prices as heavier bullocks. Those from 400kg to 500kg are solid where the quality is good, but plainer types have been met with much less demand and easier prices.
Heifers
The heifer trade is mirroring the bullock trade. At the top of the market, better-quality heifers and heavy heifers are a very strong and steady trade, while lighter types are easier. The average 450kg heifer is making about €2.30/kg, with average prices dropping by €16 to €20/head in the past week, as a greater proportion of the numbers on offer are of slightly lesser quality. Like bullocks though, where the quality on offer is good, prices are holding firm.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is slightly easier this week. But this has been driven mainly by a difference in the quality of weanlings on offer. A greater proportion of those on offer are dairy-crosses and these have seen prices ease by €20 to €30/head on the previous week. That said, where good-quality Limousin and Charolais weanlings are on offer, prices are very strong still, with the best-quality still making from €950 to €1,000/head. The average 350kg bull and heifer are selling from €800 to €900/head.
Good quality cattle firm but plainer stock slower to sell
Cattle numbers and prices increasing at Swatragh Mart
Farmers and exporters active at Dowra