Factories continue to be very eager for ready-for-slaughter cattle, but factory prices are very slow to move up with this lack of supply.
This demand is forcing factory agents to bid online at marts to fill the shortfall.
While changes on the week are minor, overall averages are up 8c to 12c/kg on the year.
Heifers of 600kg-plus saw their average sale price at marts rise by 1c on the week to settle at €2.16/kg. For the top third of lots sold, this average increased to an impressive €2.34/kg.
Short-keep cattle suitable for a number of weeks of intense feeding are also holding strong averages
Bullocks of the same weight were back slightly on this, with the average settling at €2.14/kg, back 2c on the week.
The better quality bullock boasted a higher selling average than female counterparts at €2.47/kg, despite nearly three times the numbers forward.
Short-keep cattle suitable for a number of weeks of intense feeding are also holding strong averages.
Heifers between 500kg and 600kg recorded an average of €2.15/kg. While this is back 3c on the week, it stands as 12c/kg higher than the same week of 2020.
The difference in the bullock prices on the year is even more substantial - up 15c to rest at €2.17/kg
Bullocks in excess of 500kg and in the top third of quality recorded a very strong average of €2.37/kg, up 9c/kg compared with heifers.
Numbers are rising week on week and it seems to be heavier weanlings which are hardest hit
The boosted prices for stores at marts last week with the spell of sunshine have mostly eased back slightly.
Store steers felt it harder than the heifers, with prices generally back 5c/kg. Heifers between 400kg and 500kg actually saw a rise of 4c on the week to average €2.29/kg.
Weanlings, both bulls and heifers, also took a dip on the week across most sections. Numbers are rising week on week and it seems to be heavier weanlings which are hardest hit.
Heavy weanling bulls suitable for continued feeding for under-16-month bull beef saw average drop by 13c on the week. This is no more than expected, with factory prices for these currently standing at around €3.75/kg.
Mart managers have said that demand has always been high for the better-quality lots
Lighter weanlings suitable for summer grazing performed better, with no change for bulls under 300kg and heifers of the same weight rising by 6c/kg.
Demand at factories for cull cows remains high and this demand is reflected ringside.
Overall average price only rose by 1c on the week, but stands at its highest all year at €1.56/kg.
Mart managers have said that demand has always been high for the better-quality lots, but it’s the lesser-quality ones that are really seeing the benefit from this demand.
This feedback is reflected in the figures, with the bottom third of lots sold average rising by 3c to settle at €1.29/kg.
Dairy stock
Farmer buyers are still very active for freshly calved cows, with a significant number of dairy sales still attracting big numbers.
Better-quality young cows are demanding the premium prices, with average for the top third of lots sold rising by €100 to settle at over €2,000.
This average was helped by the impressive sale in Fermoy last Friday.
Read more
Beef prices: factories eager for supplies as price kicks on
Thrive roundup: demo farm struggles to leave a margin and managing calf arrival
Beef prices must push on to reflect demand – Golden
Factories continue to be very eager for ready-for-slaughter cattle, but factory prices are very slow to move up with this lack of supply.
This demand is forcing factory agents to bid online at marts to fill the shortfall.
While changes on the week are minor, overall averages are up 8c to 12c/kg on the year.
Heifers of 600kg-plus saw their average sale price at marts rise by 1c on the week to settle at €2.16/kg. For the top third of lots sold, this average increased to an impressive €2.34/kg.
Short-keep cattle suitable for a number of weeks of intense feeding are also holding strong averages
Bullocks of the same weight were back slightly on this, with the average settling at €2.14/kg, back 2c on the week.
The better quality bullock boasted a higher selling average than female counterparts at €2.47/kg, despite nearly three times the numbers forward.
Short-keep cattle suitable for a number of weeks of intense feeding are also holding strong averages.
Heifers between 500kg and 600kg recorded an average of €2.15/kg. While this is back 3c on the week, it stands as 12c/kg higher than the same week of 2020.
The difference in the bullock prices on the year is even more substantial - up 15c to rest at €2.17/kg
Bullocks in excess of 500kg and in the top third of quality recorded a very strong average of €2.37/kg, up 9c/kg compared with heifers.
Numbers are rising week on week and it seems to be heavier weanlings which are hardest hit
The boosted prices for stores at marts last week with the spell of sunshine have mostly eased back slightly.
Store steers felt it harder than the heifers, with prices generally back 5c/kg. Heifers between 400kg and 500kg actually saw a rise of 4c on the week to average €2.29/kg.
Weanlings, both bulls and heifers, also took a dip on the week across most sections. Numbers are rising week on week and it seems to be heavier weanlings which are hardest hit.
Heavy weanling bulls suitable for continued feeding for under-16-month bull beef saw average drop by 13c on the week. This is no more than expected, with factory prices for these currently standing at around €3.75/kg.
Mart managers have said that demand has always been high for the better-quality lots
Lighter weanlings suitable for summer grazing performed better, with no change for bulls under 300kg and heifers of the same weight rising by 6c/kg.
Demand at factories for cull cows remains high and this demand is reflected ringside.
Overall average price only rose by 1c on the week, but stands at its highest all year at €1.56/kg.
Mart managers have said that demand has always been high for the better-quality lots, but it’s the lesser-quality ones that are really seeing the benefit from this demand.
This feedback is reflected in the figures, with the bottom third of lots sold average rising by 3c to settle at €1.29/kg.
Dairy stock
Farmer buyers are still very active for freshly calved cows, with a significant number of dairy sales still attracting big numbers.
Better-quality young cows are demanding the premium prices, with average for the top third of lots sold rising by €100 to settle at over €2,000.
This average was helped by the impressive sale in Fermoy last Friday.
Read more
Beef prices: factories eager for supplies as price kicks on
Thrive roundup: demo farm struggles to leave a margin and managing calf arrival
Beef prices must push on to reflect demand – Golden
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