The activity of buyers for the Turkish market has had a positive effect on the bull weanling trade over the last week, with prices up on average by 6c/kg to 10c/kg in this week’s MartBids database.

However, at individual sales where buyers were very active the increase has been much greater than this, with many marts reporting weanling bull prices up anywhere for €30/head to €50/head on the previous week.

Around the 350kg mark seems to be the sweet spot for these buyers as it maximises shipping space allowances.

However, buyers for the Turkish market are not having it all their own way with very good domestic demand being seen across nearly all weight categories, especially for top-quality lots.

Premium price

Anything with a bit of shape, power and colour is demanding a premium price. Even at lighter weights of 260kg to 270kg there is huge farmer buyer demand.

The feeling is that although farmers may buy less stock to winter this year due to rising feed costs, what they do buy is going to be quality.

The overall effect of this on the MartBids database figures sees the average 300kg to 400kg bull weanling making €2.95/kg with €3.43/kg being paid for the top third of stock.

Bull weanlings from 200kg to 300kg also enjoyed a 9c/kg price lift for the average quality animal at €2.82/kg.

Weanling heifers

The same price lift was not seen this week in the weanling heifer ring, but overall the trade remains solid. Weanling heifers from 200kg to 300kg averaged €2.76/kg while the top third made €3.23/kg. Where real quality was on show these lighter heifers were making as much as €4/kg in places.

A 300kg to 400kg weanling heifer is averaging €2.77/kg this week, while types from 400kg to 450kg were similar at €2.72/kg.

Throughput is up nicely in marts this week as the main weanling sales ramp up in numbers.

With buyers for Turkey likely to be active ringside over the coming weeks to secure numbers for the first consignment, trade should be firm in the medium term at least.

Bullocks

Trade in the bullock ring had a good week, with prices up slightly in most categories.

Those over 600kg made up the ground they lost last week to settle back at an average price of €2.53/kg.

Bullocks in the top third of this weight band were up 11c/kg this week having gone down by a similar margin last week to settle at a price of €2.83/kg.

The market for lighter steers remains that bit more sluggish, with stock under 450kg particularly difficult.

Heifers

It is the opposite story with the heifers. Having been quite stable in recent weeks, prices are down slightly according to the database this week.

The most of this price reduction is being felt by stock in the bottom third, which are down 10c/kg on average across all weight categories.

The average price for a 500kg to 600kg heifer is €2.47/kg this week, while those in the bottom third sit at €2.12/kg.