Mart managers report very strong live prices for cattle on the back of a robust beef trade and also the balance of BPS payments issued last week.

Weather had some effect earlier this week, resulting in smaller sale numbers. However, with buying demand unchanged, prices are firmer with specialist finishers extremely active for short-keep heifers and cull cows.

Heifers

Based on Irish Farmers Journal Mart Watch data, fat heifers weighing 600kg or more sold to an average of 218p/kg over the past week for top-quality U-grade animals.

This makes a 620kg animal worth £1,351. At a killout of 55%, this equates to a beef price of 396p/kg at the top end of the market.

Average-quality animals at the same weight range averaged 198p/kg, making a 620kg heifer worth £1,227. This equates to a beef price of 359p/kg, and is more in line with factory prices this week.

Heifers weighing 500kg to 600kg sold to an average of 211p/kg, making a 580kg animal worth £1,223 for good-quality U-grade lots. This converts to a beef price of 380p to 385p/kg depending on killout. Average-quality heifers sold to an average of 188p/kg, making a 580kg animal worth £1,090.

Cows

Young continental beef cows are an exceptionally strong trade in the marts with prices of 160p/kg to 180p/kg on offer. This puts mart prices 20p to 60p/kg ahead of the 290p to 300p/kg available in the factories this week.

The bulk of the live cow trade is returning prices of 140p to 160p/kg for fleshed animals with feeding cows making 10p to 20p/kg less. Dairy cows are making 80p to 120p/kg depending on quality.

Bullocks are selling to an average of 204p/kg for good quality U-grade animals, making a 650kg animal worth £1,326, while plainer lots are making 185p/kg, or £130 per head less.