We are now heading into the last week of sales for marts throughout the country and with it numbers have declined steadily.

While numbers are reducing, trade is holding strong across most fronts. Mart managers are reporting that agents and farmers still have a hunger for cattle.

Throughput at marts has been very high throughout the back end of the year and thoughts were that sheds would be full and buyers have reached their capacity.

This doesn’t seem to be the case, as many buyers are moving on more forward stock quicker to the factory to secure the prices currently on offer.

This is leading to a high demand for more forward-type cattle, with particular emphasis on Angus and Angus-cross stock. That said, mart managers are also reporting that this demand is more so for the better-quality lots.

While sellers are getting lesser-type stock away just as freely, the prices have stayed or reduced on previous weeks. Better-quality lots are seeing a lift week on week, with farmer buyers the main driver.

This image is replicated when we look down through the data from the past week.

Looking at heavy steers weighing 600kg-plus, we see a slight drop of 2c/kg on last week’s level for the top third of stock sold.

In comparison, the bottom third of stock sold in the same weight bracket dropped by 10c/kg. Overall average for fed steers now rests at a healthy €2.26/kg.

Non-finished forward steers weighing between 500kg and 600kg shows a similar trend. When we look at the top third of lots sold, we can see average price rose by 3c/kg to sit at €2.55/kg.

In comparison, the bottom third of stock dropped by 10c/kg on the week. This means that there is now a 66c/kg price difference between the top and bottom tier of bullocks for this weight.

This stands as one of the biggest gaps all year, with the lower tier of stock generally closer the €2/kg mark.

Heifer trade

This trend is harder to spot in the heifer trade, as many heifers in excess of 500kg may be sold at a premium if sold for breeding.

When looking at heifer prices, we are also seeing relatively no full dairy stock included, whereas the majority of the real bottom end of prices for steers would be this type.

Weanling numbers continue to drop week on week, with the majority of animals now sub-400kg and many sub-300kg due to being born in late spring.

Bull calf weanlings are generally up on the week, with heifers slightly back. That said, good-quality weanlings sub-300kg across bulls and heifers still had an average just shy of an impressive €3/kg.

Cull cows

Cows coming straight from the parlour is the only section of stock which is holding throughput at marts.

This throughput is being met with very strong demand, particularly from agents.

Average cull cow price rose by 9c/kg on the week to settle at €1.63/kg. Even the bottom tier of stock is seeing a significant lift, with the bottom third of prices seeing average rise by 8c/kg to rest at €1.10/kg.