It has been another positive week for mart cattle prices, especially for short-keep or forward-type animals.

Last week’s MartBids Database reported an average price increase of 16c/kg for all classes of bullocks over 500kg. This week, prices have solidified, with an average increase of 1c/kg across the same weight band.

The average 600kg-plus bullock price now sits at €2.46/kg, up 4c/kg on the previous seven days, with the top third of bullocks making €2.73/kg.

This puts the average price of a 650kg bullock at €1,600 or those in the top third up to €1,775, which would work back to a beef price north of €4.80/kg at the top end of these prices, proving that for farmers with small numbers or little bargaining power, the mart is the place to go with this type of stock at the moment.

Trade for heavy heifers has also strengthened slightly this week, with 600kg-plus heifers up 2c/kg on the week on average. The top third of these are now realising €2.68/kg, while the average heifer in this weight band made €2.44/kg over the past seven days.

Driving this is the shortage of numbers of short-keep and factory-fit cattle, leading to finishers and factory agents having to battle it out to secure numbers.

Comparing current trade to the same week last year, MartBids Database analysis shows that this week’s prices for cattle over 500kg are up 27c/kg and 24c/kg for heifers and bullocks respectively compared with 2021. On a 600kg animal, this translates to a price rise of €162/head for heifers and €144/head on bullocks.

Of course, these higher prices are being offset by increased input costs at farm level, with Irish Farmers Journal analysis in recent weeks showing that in concentrate feeding costs alone, it will take an additional €85/head to bring a bullock through to slaughter in a winter finishing system.

Cows

The cow trade remains strong, with demand for manufacturing beef driving factory prices also being seen ringside.

Good R grading suckler-bred cows with decent levels of flesh are making between €2.10/kg and €2.25/kg for the most part, with better-conformed types securing more.

Factory-fit Friesian cows are trading from €1.70/kg to €1.75/kg in the main, with a select few reaching €1.85/kg. Those needing further finishing were moving from €1.50/kg to €1.60/kg on average.

Weanlings

With the forward store cattle trade so hot, it has seen many farmer buyers move to lighter cattle in order to secure numbers. This week saw a greater number of weanlings forward for sale and with trade looking positive, it may be a trend that continues over the coming weeks.

The average price of a 300kg to 400kg weanling bull sits at €2.50/kg or €875 for a 350kg animal, up 3c/kg (€10/head) on last week. The average heifer in the same weight bracket traded at €2.66/kg or €931 for a 350kg animal, up 6c/kg (€21/head) on last week.

Lighter weanlings from 200kg to 300kg averaged €2.47/kg and €2.77/kg for bulls and heifers respectively this week, up 15c/kg on the previous seven days, perhaps as some farmers working to a certain price point have to turn to lighter-type stock.