Prices for the bottom third of weanling heifers are back by up to €70/head on autumn 2017, while the top 10% are running €20/head behind the same time last year, analysis of MartWatch prices from September to the end of November show.
The average 350kg weanling bull sold for €791/head between September and November, back €35/head on 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 bottom third of weanling bulls 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.
The store trade has held much stronger than weanlings. The average 550kg steer saw prices ease by just €16/head from September 2017 compared with the same period this year, 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 versus 2017 average prices for forward stores were just 2c/kg lower.
Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg saw a slightly easier trade with average prices back by €27/head.
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