Choosing the right time to sell can help farmers get more profit from their weanlings and stores in the spring.
The many farmers facing a shortage of fodder may not have the liberty to be able to choose when to sell. But for most, timing is everything.
The majority of grass buyers are focused on securing stock at the same time as grass growth starts to lift. As a result, weather can delay or draw forward the price peak by a week or two.
The savvy farmer will frequent marts in the period to get a feel for the trade
Sellers should be focused on weather and appetite around the ring in advance of selling. The savvy farmer will frequent marts in the period to get a feel for the trade. One thing to avoid is selling during a period of bad weather, as this can have a negative effect on buyer demand.
MartWatch figures shows that steer prices reached the highest peak in the last week of March each year (week 12), with prices reaching an equivalent high again in mid-April. In 2015, store bullock prices peaked at €2.29/kg. In 2016 the peak was 7c/kg lower at €2.22/kg in April, while in early May the peak hit €2.25/kg due to increased forward store demand, while last year the peak was €2.27/kg. The highest weekly average price paid so far this year was €2.28/kg, which shows that demand has started stronger, earlier.
Store heifers peaked in early April each year over the past four years. In 2015, the peak was €2.50/kg in mid- March and April for the average 450kg heifer. In 2016, the peak reached €2.34/kg, while last year it was €2.28/kg.
The weanling trade sees a similar trend in prices. Weanling bull prices peaked in mid-April each year. The average price paid in mid-April is usually 5c/kg to 8c/kg higher than the average prices paid for three to four weeks either side of that. This can amount to an additional €20/head to €35/head in sale value for the average 350kg bull.
Weanling heifer prices follow a similar pattern to bulls, but they peak in late March most years.
While the trend has shown that the average price peaks in late March/early April, this is not an exact science. Weather is one of the key factors affecting buyer sentiment in the spring. So watch the weather and mart trade before selling.
Read more
Early year grass buyer activity increasing
Flying trade for short-keep and factory-fit stock
Strong export demand underpins trade
Grass buyers out early for weanling heifers and stores
Choosing the right time to sell can help farmers get more profit from their weanlings and stores in the spring.
The many farmers facing a shortage of fodder may not have the liberty to be able to choose when to sell. But for most, timing is everything.
The majority of grass buyers are focused on securing stock at the same time as grass growth starts to lift. As a result, weather can delay or draw forward the price peak by a week or two.
The savvy farmer will frequent marts in the period to get a feel for the trade
Sellers should be focused on weather and appetite around the ring in advance of selling. The savvy farmer will frequent marts in the period to get a feel for the trade. One thing to avoid is selling during a period of bad weather, as this can have a negative effect on buyer demand.
MartWatch figures shows that steer prices reached the highest peak in the last week of March each year (week 12), with prices reaching an equivalent high again in mid-April. In 2015, store bullock prices peaked at €2.29/kg. In 2016 the peak was 7c/kg lower at €2.22/kg in April, while in early May the peak hit €2.25/kg due to increased forward store demand, while last year the peak was €2.27/kg. The highest weekly average price paid so far this year was €2.28/kg, which shows that demand has started stronger, earlier.
Store heifers peaked in early April each year over the past four years. In 2015, the peak was €2.50/kg in mid- March and April for the average 450kg heifer. In 2016, the peak reached €2.34/kg, while last year it was €2.28/kg.
The weanling trade sees a similar trend in prices. Weanling bull prices peaked in mid-April each year. The average price paid in mid-April is usually 5c/kg to 8c/kg higher than the average prices paid for three to four weeks either side of that. This can amount to an additional €20/head to €35/head in sale value for the average 350kg bull.
Weanling heifer prices follow a similar pattern to bulls, but they peak in late March most years.
While the trend has shown that the average price peaks in late March/early April, this is not an exact science. Weather is one of the key factors affecting buyer sentiment in the spring. So watch the weather and mart trade before selling.
Read more
Early year grass buyer activity increasing
Flying trade for short-keep and factory-fit stock
Strong export demand underpins trade
Grass buyers out early for weanling heifers and stores
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