Despite the continuing beef difficulties, the mart trade is still very resilient.
The strong prices being paid for weanlings are refreshing for suckler to weanling producers who are selling bulls and heifers at the moment.
The strong trade is being driven by good export activity right across the country and for various types of bulls.
The strong demand for bulls is also having a knock-on effect on weanling heifer prices also.
However, the store cattle trade is difficult, with prices well back on last year, especially short-keep types.
There is a growing fear amongst mart managers that if the current factory blockades continue, it will have a more dramatic effect on forward store cattle prices as many mart managers are being told by an increasing number of store cattle buyers that they are unable to buy cattle until they are able to slaughter cattle.
Cashflow is another issue that is being highlighted by finishers.
Steers
There is large variation in the prices being paid for heavy cattle over 600kg. Average-quality continentals over 600kg are selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg, with U grades making up to €2.10/kg at some sales.
Stores from 500kg to 600kg are experiencing increased price pressure in marts, with average prices running 9c/kg or by up to €50/head behind the same time last year.
Where Friesian steers are on offer, prices of €1.50/kg to €1.60/kg are common. Light stores from 400kg to 500kg are selling from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg.
Heifers
Heavy heifers over 600kg are scarce, but where on offer are back by 26c/kg or €150 to €160/head on the same time last year.
The average 550kg heifer is selling for €1,070/head. Angus and Herefords in the same weight range are selling from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg.
Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg are selling mainly from €1.95/kg to €2.05/kg for average-quality continentals to €2.20/kg for U grades.
Plain-quality light store heifers are a difficult trade, with prices of the bottom third ranging mainly from €1.50/kg to €1.70/kg.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is very strong in comparison to stores, with strong export activity keeping a floor under the trade for all types.
Farmer buyers are active also, but prices being paid for feeding bulls are well back on last year’s levels.
Bulls from 300kg to 400kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg for average-quality types, with those from 200kg to 300kg selling for €2.46/kg on average.
Weanling heifer prices are strong where the quality of those on offer is high, but plainer types are running behind the equivalent bull.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: exporters drive the trade for bulls
Camera at the Mart: strong demand for ewe hoggets at Loughrea
Camera at the Mart: serious demand for bullocks in Skibbereen
In pictures: Bluefaced Leicester shearlings top Kelso ram sale
NI trends: cattle trade steadies as quotes harden; lamb quotes down
Despite the continuing beef difficulties, the mart trade is still very resilient.
The strong prices being paid for weanlings are refreshing for suckler to weanling producers who are selling bulls and heifers at the moment.
The strong trade is being driven by good export activity right across the country and for various types of bulls.
The strong demand for bulls is also having a knock-on effect on weanling heifer prices also.
However, the store cattle trade is difficult, with prices well back on last year, especially short-keep types.
There is a growing fear amongst mart managers that if the current factory blockades continue, it will have a more dramatic effect on forward store cattle prices as many mart managers are being told by an increasing number of store cattle buyers that they are unable to buy cattle until they are able to slaughter cattle.
Cashflow is another issue that is being highlighted by finishers.
Steers
There is large variation in the prices being paid for heavy cattle over 600kg. Average-quality continentals over 600kg are selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg, with U grades making up to €2.10/kg at some sales.
Stores from 500kg to 600kg are experiencing increased price pressure in marts, with average prices running 9c/kg or by up to €50/head behind the same time last year.
Where Friesian steers are on offer, prices of €1.50/kg to €1.60/kg are common. Light stores from 400kg to 500kg are selling from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg.
Heifers
Heavy heifers over 600kg are scarce, but where on offer are back by 26c/kg or €150 to €160/head on the same time last year.
The average 550kg heifer is selling for €1,070/head. Angus and Herefords in the same weight range are selling from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg.
Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg are selling mainly from €1.95/kg to €2.05/kg for average-quality continentals to €2.20/kg for U grades.
Plain-quality light store heifers are a difficult trade, with prices of the bottom third ranging mainly from €1.50/kg to €1.70/kg.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is very strong in comparison to stores, with strong export activity keeping a floor under the trade for all types.
Farmer buyers are active also, but prices being paid for feeding bulls are well back on last year’s levels.
Bulls from 300kg to 400kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg for average-quality types, with those from 200kg to 300kg selling for €2.46/kg on average.
Weanling heifer prices are strong where the quality of those on offer is high, but plainer types are running behind the equivalent bull.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: exporters drive the trade for bulls
Camera at the Mart: strong demand for ewe hoggets at Loughrea
Camera at the Mart: serious demand for bullocks in Skibbereen
In pictures: Bluefaced Leicester shearlings top Kelso ram sale
NI trends: cattle trade steadies as quotes harden; lamb quotes down
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