Prices for heavy weanling bulls in marts in July are up by €100/head on last year and €185/head on 2019. Early heavier weanling bulls have seen the biggest increase in price, with 23c/kg the difference between this year and last year for bulls between 400kg and 450kg.

The difference increases by 41c/kg when comparing 2019 MartBids data with 2021 figures. This price difference is the potential of an extra €185/head on a 450kg animal.

The demand for heavier bulls with the early turnout of weanlings has been quite noticeable in marts. This increase of over 40c/kg on two years was similar for bulls exceeding 450kg, meaning the differential could be up on €200/head.

Weanling bulls in the most common bracket of 300kg to 400kg are up 18c/kg on the year. This difference is even higher when compared to 2019 levels, with a 32c/kg difference. This is a price increase of up to €128/head, on average, in the last two years.

Heifers

The number of heifers on offer is lower compared to the number of bulls, but prices are still up 19c/kg on the year and 31c/kg on 2019 figures. This would lead to a similar price increase per head as their bull comrades. Prices for weanling bulls under 300kg stood were up 18c/kg on two years ago, while heifers in the same category are up by around 31c/kg, on average.

With next week the start of August, many marts around the country will begin the first of their specialised weanling sales.