Live exporters have been ramping up activity over the last few weeks in marts around the country with a few new names around the ring and a few old names as well.

Live exports have been performing well, with an extra 20,000 animals exported so far in 2022 compared with 2021, a rise of 11%.

Much of this increase is down to increased numbers of calves being exported to the Netherlands, with a doubling of calf exports there in 2022.

So far in 2022, there have been 95,066 calves exported to the Netherlands, up from 48,096 in 2021.

On the other hand, we have seen a 43% drop-off in exports to Northern Ireland (NI) in 2022. There have been 26,725 cattle exported to NI so far in 2022, compared with 47,475 cattle exported in 2021 for the same period.

Weanling exports are up 2,619 head or 23% on 2021 levels and this is expected to rise a lot further in the months ahead as exporters look to fill a number of Middle Eastern and north African contracts.

NI buyers have been a little more active around rings in recent weeks and industry sources would suggest that numbers of finished cattle could get tighter in NI later in autumn and winter and this could see some increased NI buyer activity in the months ahead.

Analysis

Taking a look at this week’s MartBids analysis table, we can see that weanling bulls took a good lift across all weight and quality categories.

Numbers are still small, but the current buyer appetite would suggest that there is good demand for weanlings.

The top third of weanlings across all weight categories are trading over €3/kg, with the most popular weight category of 300kg to 400kg weanlings coming in at €3.12/kg this week.

Heavier weanlings are also a real solid trade, with a number of big bull finishers very active around rings in the last week.

Heights

While not hitting the price heights of the bulls, weanling heifers are also in demand, with top-quality 300kg to 400kg weanling heifers coming in at €2.99/kg this week.

Little movement was seen in heavier cattle prices over the last seven days. Bullocks are pretty steady, with top quality bullocks in the 500kg to 600kg bracket coming in at €2.85/kg.

Lesser-quality dairy-crosses are working off €2.15/kg to €2.30/kg, depending on quality and type.

Factory feedlots have moved out again hoovering up supplies of Aberdeen Angus and Hereford cattle for further feeding.

Heavy heifers

Heavy heifers are also a real solid trade, with factories driving the trade. Top-quality heifers over 600kg are coming in at €2.90/kg this week, with average heifers working off €2.71/kg.

The dry cow trade has also improved, with good quality cows trading for up to €2.80/kg.

Good-quality Friesian cows are trading as high as €2.40/kg, with parlour cows in less demand, selling for anywhere between €1.30/kg and €1.80/kg.

For further MartBids analysis comparing this year’s weanling and cattle prices with last year’s prices, see this week’s special marts focus on pages 41-46.