As we enter October, we are hitting the biggest month of the year in terms of weanling sales. This week saw another increase in weanling numbers and the overall picture from a trade point of view remains very positive.

Mart managers are reporting perhaps a delayed turnout in numbers this year due to improved weather conditions experienced in September, as well as farmers in some cases holding on to calves a few weeks longer in order to meet BEEP-S targets around meal feeding at weaning.

Buyers seem to be seeing the benefits of the BEEP-S scheme, with very low levels of sickness being reported in purchased animals this year, although the weather has also been favourable for getting stock settled on farms.

Bull weanlings

The top third of bull weanlings in the 200kg to 300kg and the 300kg to 400kg weight ranges are averaging over the €3/kg mark, which is mainly being paid for well-conformed continental types.

Even at heavier weights, the top-quality bull calves continue to perform strongly on a euro-per-kilo basis.

The price differential to the top third really becomes apparent for the plainer-type bull calf over 450kg

Looking at the average price paid for bulls, they are typically trading between €2.40/kg and €2.60/kg, which is helped by the fact that exporters are very active for bull calves in this price bracket.

The price differential to the top third really becomes apparent for the plainer-type bull calf over 450kg. This week sees a 55c/kg price gap between the top third and average weanling bull over 450kg, up from 39c/kg last week.

Weanling heifers

Prices are up slightly in most instances for weanling heifers on the week, apart from heifers from 400kg to 450kg.

However, it should be noted that animal numbers in this category are quite small, so one or two low prices can have a bigger effect on the overall average and perhaps we cannot read too much into it.

Stores

After heifer prices being up across the board last week, there has been a slight ease on the average price paid this week according to MartBids data. As always mart managers are reporting a great trade for top-quality lots, with €2.30 to €2.40 being paid for the best Charolais and Limousin heifers.

The average price has eased by between 1c/kg and 4c/kg for heifers, with a typical range of €1.95/kg to €2.10/kg being paid for these types.

The average price for steers is up between 1c/kg and 4c/kg this week

Plainer dairy-cross types continue to trade between €1.70/kg and €1.90/kg in the main, with a little more on offer where breed bonuses will apply at slaughter.

Good-quality steers remain a great trade, which is reflected in the numbers coming forward as farmers look to make the most of a positive market.

The average price for steers is up between 1c/kg and 4c/kg this week, maintaining a price of around €2/kg to €2.10/kg on average.

Prices for heavier, short-keep bullocks are especially strong, with buyers looking for stock suitable to hit the Christmas trade in December.