Lower-quality store cattle are proving more difficult to trade.
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Weanlings have maintained their price following the Christmas break, with good-quality, light animals making over €3/kg. Forward cattle are holding their price, with lower-quality animals back slightly on what was being achieved in December.
In-calf animals, whether it be heifers or cows, are staying strong at €1,500 to €1,800 – similar to late 2015.
Age a factor
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Lower-quality store cattle are becoming more difficult to trade, with age becoming a big factor. Out-of-specification cattle that will not be killed until over 30 months are seeing a price penalty of around €100/head in trading.
This time last year, we saw a rising beef trend along with lower numbers available, which led to a very strong first quarter. It is unlikely that we will see that this year with the trade so far.
ICSA general secretary Eddie Punch shared his outlook of the live cattle trade: “Longer term, we will be looking to the Minister (Simon Coveney) to facilitate live exports to as many destinations as possible. We have seen restrictions lately in the UK market with labelling issues, so efforts need to be made to open up markets such as north Africa. It’s a waste of time being dependant on beef processors here in Ireland.”
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Weanlings have maintained their price following the Christmas break, with good-quality, light animals making over €3/kg. Forward cattle are holding their price, with lower-quality animals back slightly on what was being achieved in December.
In-calf animals, whether it be heifers or cows, are staying strong at €1,500 to €1,800 – similar to late 2015.
Age a factor
Lower-quality store cattle are becoming more difficult to trade, with age becoming a big factor. Out-of-specification cattle that will not be killed until over 30 months are seeing a price penalty of around €100/head in trading.
This time last year, we saw a rising beef trend along with lower numbers available, which led to a very strong first quarter. It is unlikely that we will see that this year with the trade so far.
ICSA general secretary Eddie Punch shared his outlook of the live cattle trade: “Longer term, we will be looking to the Minister (Simon Coveney) to facilitate live exports to as many destinations as possible. We have seen restrictions lately in the UK market with labelling issues, so efforts need to be made to open up markets such as north Africa. It’s a waste of time being dependant on beef processors here in Ireland.”
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