Weanling sales have got off to a strong start for 2022. Irish Farmers Journal MartBids analysis shows that the top third of bull weanlings in the 400kg to 450kg bracket this week are selling for between €1,300 and €1,400, or the equivalent of €3.14/kg.

Iveragh Mart in Caherciveen, Co Kerry, had its first autumn-born weanling sale this week.

Mart manager Mike Kissane said: “I’m manager here with 34 years and I’ve never seen the likes of it before.”

Meanwhile, beef quotes have steadied this week on the back of three weeks of cuts. Bullocks are being quoted at a base of €4.95/kg to €5/kg, while heifers are selling at €5/kg to €5.05/kg.

National kill

Bord Bia revised its estimates for the 2022 cattle kill, expecting 30,000 extra head on top of its original prediction. It forecasts 110,000 extra cattle to be killed compared to 2021.

The national kill is already 82,000 ahead of 2021 levels.