Weanling numbers in marts throughout the country were back on those of previous years given the early demand. As published previously, weanling prices for the months of August and September saw increases across the board of between 10c and 20c/kg.
This jump in prices meant that weanling producers were keen to offload earlier and take the money while it was there.
These strong prices continued well into October, with prices rising by nearly 25c/kg for lighter stock. These young shapely bulls and heifers continue to make money, with €3/kg-plus seen across numerous marts. As the weights went up, prices dropped back to less than 10c/kg deferential on the bulls, while heavier heifers from 400kg to 450kg increased 17c/kg on the year.
As we moved into November, stock started to get a lot more mixed in quality. With the better-quality lots away earlier in the season, November brought a mix of poorer, older lots, as well as younger calves and a bigger increase of fed first-cross calves.
Having a mix like this would be normal enough for November, but numbers were back and the difference in quality was easier seen. That said, prices still remained well up on the year across the board.
Lighter stock still demanded a premium, with males and females under 200kg up over 25c/kg on 2019. That increase dropped to around 15c/kg for animals from 200kg to 300kg. Increases of 8c to 10c/kg were achieved for males up to 450kg, while heavy bulls rose by 18c/kg to settle at €1.68/kg. The increases for prime heifers from 300kg to 400kg wasn’t as substantial and heifers from 400kg to 450kg actually saw a drop on the year. Small numbers of heifers from 450kg-plus were offered and prices rose to €2/kg, a rise of 38c on the year.
Overall Martbids data shows that weanlings in November were on average 10c/kg up on 2019 levels, despite a bigger mix of stock on offer.
Store cattle
Heifers continue to be in demand, with most cattle seeing a move in the right direction.
Fit heifers suitable for immediate slaughter are continuing to see the benefit of the increased factory price. On average, fit heifers in excess of 600kg sold for an impressive €2.10/kg, up 6c on the previous week.
The biggest beneficiary of this is the lesser end of these, which saw prices rise by 10c on the week to settle at €1.93/kg.
Despite a move in the right direction for steers in the factory, the trade isn’t as lucrative. Fit steers dropped back by 7c/kg on the week, but the price still remains over the €2/kg mark.
While lesser-quality heifers may have been the biggest winners, lesser-quality steers were the biggest losers, with prices dropping 15c/kg on the week.
General store trade remains quite positive, with no movement or increases up to around 6c/kg witnessed compared with the previous week. A quick look shows that the prices across both heifers and bullocks on average were between €2 and €2.10/kg.
Dry cow numbers remain very strong throughout Munster and prices have started to fall. The drop was particularly evident for better-quality lots, which saw prices fall 20c/kg on the week. Overall average price for dry cows is €1.39/kg, back 9c on the week. Lesser-quality lots are at €1/kg.
Read more
Tullamore Farm: Cull cows drafted and the end of breeding season for ewes
Camera at the Mart: Northern demand drives dry cow trade in Elphin
Threat of feed price hike for farmers as boats divert to UK
Weanling numbers in marts throughout the country were back on those of previous years given the early demand. As published previously, weanling prices for the months of August and September saw increases across the board of between 10c and 20c/kg.
This jump in prices meant that weanling producers were keen to offload earlier and take the money while it was there.
These strong prices continued well into October, with prices rising by nearly 25c/kg for lighter stock. These young shapely bulls and heifers continue to make money, with €3/kg-plus seen across numerous marts. As the weights went up, prices dropped back to less than 10c/kg deferential on the bulls, while heavier heifers from 400kg to 450kg increased 17c/kg on the year.
As we moved into November, stock started to get a lot more mixed in quality. With the better-quality lots away earlier in the season, November brought a mix of poorer, older lots, as well as younger calves and a bigger increase of fed first-cross calves.
Having a mix like this would be normal enough for November, but numbers were back and the difference in quality was easier seen. That said, prices still remained well up on the year across the board.
Lighter stock still demanded a premium, with males and females under 200kg up over 25c/kg on 2019. That increase dropped to around 15c/kg for animals from 200kg to 300kg. Increases of 8c to 10c/kg were achieved for males up to 450kg, while heavy bulls rose by 18c/kg to settle at €1.68/kg. The increases for prime heifers from 300kg to 400kg wasn’t as substantial and heifers from 400kg to 450kg actually saw a drop on the year. Small numbers of heifers from 450kg-plus were offered and prices rose to €2/kg, a rise of 38c on the year.
Overall Martbids data shows that weanlings in November were on average 10c/kg up on 2019 levels, despite a bigger mix of stock on offer.
Store cattle
Heifers continue to be in demand, with most cattle seeing a move in the right direction.
Fit heifers suitable for immediate slaughter are continuing to see the benefit of the increased factory price. On average, fit heifers in excess of 600kg sold for an impressive €2.10/kg, up 6c on the previous week.
The biggest beneficiary of this is the lesser end of these, which saw prices rise by 10c on the week to settle at €1.93/kg.
Despite a move in the right direction for steers in the factory, the trade isn’t as lucrative. Fit steers dropped back by 7c/kg on the week, but the price still remains over the €2/kg mark.
While lesser-quality heifers may have been the biggest winners, lesser-quality steers were the biggest losers, with prices dropping 15c/kg on the week.
General store trade remains quite positive, with no movement or increases up to around 6c/kg witnessed compared with the previous week. A quick look shows that the prices across both heifers and bullocks on average were between €2 and €2.10/kg.
Dry cow numbers remain very strong throughout Munster and prices have started to fall. The drop was particularly evident for better-quality lots, which saw prices fall 20c/kg on the week. Overall average price for dry cows is €1.39/kg, back 9c on the week. Lesser-quality lots are at €1/kg.
Read more
Tullamore Farm: Cull cows drafted and the end of breeding season for ewes
Camera at the Mart: Northern demand drives dry cow trade in Elphin
Threat of feed price hike for farmers as boats divert to UK
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