Factory agents are driving up the mart trade, with huge demand for finished cattle.

All the major factories have agents scouring multiple marts around the country to secure adequate supplies.

For the third week in a row, the factory kill has dropped, with 31,383 cattle killed last week.

Irish Farmers Journal MartBids analysis shows that bullocks over 600kg are up €120/head on the same period last year, with heifers over 600kg up €100/head on last year’s prices.

Kilkenny mart manager Michael Lynch told the Irish Farmers Journal: “We have seen huge appetite for all categories of stock since the start of the new year. There’s definitely an air of confidence with buyers.

“Cattle over 600kg are especially sought after by feedlots and factory buyers. Those cattle are up €0.20/kg to €0.30/kg on this time last year,” Lynch said.

Mart managers in the west are reporting a similar trend with strong demand from Northern Ireland.

The calf trade has also started off 2021 on a high, with €300/head being paid for two-week-old Aberdeen Angus and Hereford calves in Bandon this week.

Farmers make up the majority of buyers, with little exporter activity expected for another two weeks.