Analysis of pedigree beef autumn sales since 2015 by the Irish Farmers Journal shows that the average price paid per bull is back €600.

This analysis includes bull sales held by beef societies up to last weekend, incorporating four of the five main breeds. Angus is the only major breed not to hold an autumn sale yet.

There are a number of factors affecting trade with the biggest being buyers’ confidence in the sector.

With such uncertainty ahead, many potential customers are unwilling to make a substantial investment.

This, coupled with the increasing national pedigree herd, means that those who are willing to purchase have ample choice.

Looking at the breeds most affected, the Simmental premier last weekend stood out as one of the toughest to date.

The average bull price was back €1,400 on the year, or back €1,000 on 2015 levels.

The Hereford premier was also hit with only one third of bulls put forward selling with prices back an average of €350/head on 2015 levels.

This year’s Limousin premier actually showed an increase in average prices but this was positively influenced by the inclusion of a record-breaking €38,000 bull.

However, even with this, the average was back a substantial €650/head compared with 2015 levels.

Although not its main autumn bull sale, the Charolais sale in Tullamore last weekend was back €510/head on last year with only half of the bulls put forward selling.

Clearance rates

While average prices may be back, most notable is the drop in clearance rates at sales.

Limousin clearance dropped from 94% in 2015 to 63% this year.

Similarly, the Simmental breed’s clearance rate halved in three years from 100% in 2015 to 50% in 2018.

Part of this drop can be attributed to the higher number of bulls put forward.

By increasing the number of bulls put forward, societies stand the risk of flooding the market which can, in some cases, be the reason for the drop in average sale price.