The mart trade has gotten off to a slower start in 2019 in terms of numbers entered.

Some mart managers point to a percentage of producers delaying showing cattle for the first week to see how the trade materialises.

This is due partly to concerns over beef price pressure and continued uncertainty surrounding a no-deal Brexit.

Reports from the first week are variable, with a number of mart managers pointing to a stickier start to trading, with specialist bull beef producers buying at a slower rate due to delays in getting bulls moved for slaughter, while other finishers are coy on the numbers they are purchasing, with Brexit playing on the back of their minds.

This is in contrast to a livelier trade in some parts for light weanling bulls and heifers.

Strong grass growth is enticing some farmers purchasing for grass-based systems to enter the market earlier.

These buyers are envisaging strong demand if the current spell of weather continues and are looking to get out ahead of the market and spread their bets by getting some cattle on hand earlier.

Marts are putting plans in place to deal with a busy sales period, with numbers traded in the period January to March experiencing huge growth

Light continental weanling bulls weighing 280kg to 370kg are trading on average from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg, with the top third of bulls selling to a top of €2.70/kg to €2.80/kg on average.

Lesser-quality bulls are trading back to €2/kg, with Angus and Hereford weanlings trading anywhere from €1.70/kg to €2/kg, depending on quality.

The number of calves offered in sales was small, but was boosted in the last week by farmers holding calves over the Christmas break.

Strong four- to six-week-old Angus and Hereford calves carried over from autumn-calving herds are selling on average from €200 to €300 per head, with quality having a marked effect on price, with lighter types low in number to date and selling back to €150.

Marts are putting plans in place to deal with a busy sales period, with numbers traded in the period January to March experiencing huge growth on the back of tighter calving intervals and a move to earlier spring calving. There were 224,682 calves born in January 2018, 627,070 in February and 502,299 in March.

Prospects for calf exports are positive, but there are some question marks around transport logistics, with ferry sailings changing in 2019.