Prices at the factory gate continue to see slight increases as the days pass and the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit looms.
Eager to build up stocks and export beef to the UK, factories are keen to see higher throughputs of cattle. This has led to a slight increase being paid to farmers across all weight categories.
While this increase isn’t seen in mart prices with great evidence yet, we need to remember that mart prices are already at a very high level. A level that has continued for the most part of 2020.
However, mart managers are reporting very high demand for stock, with most seeing clearance rates of between 90% and 95%, or higher.
Numbers high
Numbers still remain quite high for this time of year following the reopening of marts to ringside bidders two weeks ago, but as most marts head into their final sales before Christmas, this supply is starting to tighten somewhat.
This supply decrease will inevitably lead to a slight increase in price over the coming week.
Already seeing a slight increase are fit cattle, in particular heifers. These heifers, ready to slaughter straight from the mart yard, saw average prices rise by 3c/kg on the week. However, numbers are very tight, as factory agents are eager to buy direct where at all possible.
Overall, heifers of 600kg-plus sold for an average of €2.03/kg, with the majority of the buyers ringside being factory agents.
Fit bullocks haven’t yet seen this increase and actually dropped below the €2/kg mark for the first time this month.
The better-quality suckler-bred lots held stronger, with a 3c/kg drop on the week compared with 11c/kg on lesser-quality bullocks over 600kg.
Both store and short-keep bullocks and heifers generally saw a slight drop, but continue to hover around that €2/kg price. Heifers of this type are generally standing at 5c/kg ahead of the bullocks across the weight limits.
Cows
Cow prices paid by factories are up between 30c and 40c/kg on this time last month, with demand very high also.
Prices ringside are also very strong, with a solid northern demand also for the better-quality suckler-bred type cows.
Dry cows, predominantly from the dairy herd, saw prices rise by 10c/kg on the week to rest at €1.48/kg. This price increased to €1.77/kg for the top third of lots on offer, while the lesser-quality lots needing in excess of a month of feeding are hanging close to the €1/kg mark.
Suckler-bred cows, as mentioned, were in high demand and prices rose by over €65 on the week. Overall, suckler-bred cows saw average price rise to over €1,300.
The better-quality lots of E and U grade skyrocketed on the week, with prices up nearly €300. This was largely down to an influx of northern buyers and a few standout prices for lots that went on for breeding.
Some marts are still reporting a good entry of weanlings for this time of year.
However, these are coming to the marts in very mixed batches, with many fed calves from the dairy herd also included.
Better-quality, lighter and younger lots still continue to dominate the prices. Although back by up to 10c/kg for some weight divisions, in excess of €2.70/kg is still not uncommon for choice lots.
Heavier bull weanlings of better quality saw the biggest increase on the week, with top-quality lots of 400kg to 450kg rising by 16c/kg to settle at an average of €2.58/kg.
Read more
Tullamore Farm: cull cows slaughtered and grazing heavy covers with ewes
Cattle in demand as factories increase throughput
Factories anxious for cattle as Brexit guessing game continues
Prices at the factory gate continue to see slight increases as the days pass and the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit looms.
Eager to build up stocks and export beef to the UK, factories are keen to see higher throughputs of cattle. This has led to a slight increase being paid to farmers across all weight categories.
While this increase isn’t seen in mart prices with great evidence yet, we need to remember that mart prices are already at a very high level. A level that has continued for the most part of 2020.
However, mart managers are reporting very high demand for stock, with most seeing clearance rates of between 90% and 95%, or higher.
Numbers high
Numbers still remain quite high for this time of year following the reopening of marts to ringside bidders two weeks ago, but as most marts head into their final sales before Christmas, this supply is starting to tighten somewhat.
This supply decrease will inevitably lead to a slight increase in price over the coming week.
Already seeing a slight increase are fit cattle, in particular heifers. These heifers, ready to slaughter straight from the mart yard, saw average prices rise by 3c/kg on the week. However, numbers are very tight, as factory agents are eager to buy direct where at all possible.
Overall, heifers of 600kg-plus sold for an average of €2.03/kg, with the majority of the buyers ringside being factory agents.
Fit bullocks haven’t yet seen this increase and actually dropped below the €2/kg mark for the first time this month.
The better-quality suckler-bred lots held stronger, with a 3c/kg drop on the week compared with 11c/kg on lesser-quality bullocks over 600kg.
Both store and short-keep bullocks and heifers generally saw a slight drop, but continue to hover around that €2/kg price. Heifers of this type are generally standing at 5c/kg ahead of the bullocks across the weight limits.
Cows
Cow prices paid by factories are up between 30c and 40c/kg on this time last month, with demand very high also.
Prices ringside are also very strong, with a solid northern demand also for the better-quality suckler-bred type cows.
Dry cows, predominantly from the dairy herd, saw prices rise by 10c/kg on the week to rest at €1.48/kg. This price increased to €1.77/kg for the top third of lots on offer, while the lesser-quality lots needing in excess of a month of feeding are hanging close to the €1/kg mark.
Suckler-bred cows, as mentioned, were in high demand and prices rose by over €65 on the week. Overall, suckler-bred cows saw average price rise to over €1,300.
The better-quality lots of E and U grade skyrocketed on the week, with prices up nearly €300. This was largely down to an influx of northern buyers and a few standout prices for lots that went on for breeding.
Some marts are still reporting a good entry of weanlings for this time of year.
However, these are coming to the marts in very mixed batches, with many fed calves from the dairy herd also included.
Better-quality, lighter and younger lots still continue to dominate the prices. Although back by up to 10c/kg for some weight divisions, in excess of €2.70/kg is still not uncommon for choice lots.
Heavier bull weanlings of better quality saw the biggest increase on the week, with top-quality lots of 400kg to 450kg rising by 16c/kg to settle at an average of €2.58/kg.
Read more
Tullamore Farm: cull cows slaughtered and grazing heavy covers with ewes
Cattle in demand as factories increase throughput
Factories anxious for cattle as Brexit guessing game continues
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