Last week, we reported that Martbids analysis showed a 20% increase in throughput on the previous week.

This trend has continued, with a further 5% increase in numbers this week.

While prices were holding very firm and even increasing last week, we have seen a significant drop in most categories this week.

This was particularly telling in the weanling trade, with prices down as much as 26c/kg in some cases.

While this is a big hit in one week, there are a few points to note.

The strong start to weanling trade as far back as August led to a number of farmers selling much earlier than usual, in turn having better quality earlier in the weanling trade season.

Perhaps more important to note is that all base prices are still substantially up on previous years.

If we look back to that most common bull weanling weight of 300kg to 400kg, prices dropped by 14c/kg on the week. Overall average for this animal type is now at €2.59/kg, 20c on average higher than last year’s sales.

Better-quality lots in this weight division dropped by 15c/kg, but still stand a substantial 24c/kg ahead of the same week of sales last year.

Looking at the females, it was interesting to see that the 300kg to 400kg weight division is no longer the most common.

This week, weanling heifers from 200kg to 300kg were 20% higher in throughput. This is a clear indication that the majority of the early spring weanlings have passed.

What’s even more positive to see is that the better-quality lots in this weight division were actually the only category to see an increase on the week.

Prices for these animals rose by 2c/kg to settle at a massive €3.19/kg average.

In particular, numbers of Angus- and Hereford-sired weanling bulls sub-300kg have started to arrive in numbers

This price stands 36c/kg higher than last year’s price of the same week, or as much as €100 per head difference.

One comment from mart managers is that they have started to see higher numbers of dairy beef-bred weanlings coming on stream. In particular, numbers of Angus- and Hereford-sired weanling bulls sub-300kg have started to arrive in numbers, with prices back slightly on what they were.

Stores

General cattle trade for bullocks remains nearly unchanged on the previous week across all sections.

Forward bullocks suitable for direct slaughter continue to be in most demand.

Despite changing weather and many looking to the shed last week, store bullocks held very strong, with better-quality lots across the weights averaging around €2.50/kg.

These sales may have also had an effect on lighter heifer stock, as we saw slight increases on animals sub-600kg also

Better-quality fed heifers saw a strong increase in average, rising by 12c/kg on the week.

However, this may be in some part down to a number of highly impressive specialised sales of maiden and in-calf heifers held across the country in the last seven days.

These sales may have also had an effect on lighter heifer stock, as we saw slight increases on animals sub-600kg also.

Despite an increase in cull cows coming directly from the parlour, cow price remains unchanged at €1.61/kg. Better-quality lots coming from the beef herd saw average cull cow price rest at €2.08/kg. This upper-end price is up nearly 30c/kg on this time last year.