Many mart managers have commented that export demand for light and plainer-quality bull weanlings is placing a very firm floor under the weanling trade in recent weeks.

Farmer demand is said to be the main driver of light weanling heifer prices.

Export demand is mainly for average- to plain-quality weanlings from 220kg to 280kg, but age is also a factor, with the main demand for young weanlings under 10 months of age.

The average 250kg bull is currently selling from €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg or from €600 to €650/head, with slightly better-quality types making over €700/head. Where dairy-crosses are on offer, prices of €2.00/kg to €2.30/kg are common.

Light dairy-cross bulls are in strong demand and prices range from €2/kg to €2.40/kg.