It has been another busy week for marts, with throughput increasing in many sales centres on the previous week. Mart managers report that buyers and sellers are becoming more accustomed to the coronavirus restrictions in place and that buyers are happy to comply with them when it means they can remain bidding at the ringside.

There were some questions following last week’s market report which said that sellers were in some cases attending marts to sell their stock. Many farmers and some marts were of the opinion that this was not allowed.

In the marts where it is taking place, the mart has agreed it as part of its standard operating protocol. It generally follows the process of sellers dropping off their cattle for viewing by buyers, returning home (or remaining in their vehicle) and then entering the mart at an allotted time when their cattle are about to enter the sales ring.

Trade performance

The trade has held largely steady in the last week. Some marts recorded an easier trade for forward and slaughter-fit heifers, while others report a solid demand where autumn 2019-born weanlings are starting to come on stream.

This is boosting the average price paid in the weanling bull analysis of MartBids prices.

Clearance rates remain steady and, in general, are averaging around 86% to 90%, with a range from as low as 80% to as high as 96%.

Plainer-quality cattle and those that are likely to kill out of spec remain at a price range of €1.65/kg to €1.75/kg

Prices recorded for steers are generally positive. The average price for good-quality forward stores and beef cattle weighing upwards of 600kg increased by 5c/kg to €1.95/kg, with more slaughter-fit cattle slowly coming on stream.

Plainer-quality cattle and those that are likely to kill out of spec remain at a price range of €1.65/kg to €1.75/kg.

In contrast, heavy heifers weighing in excess of 600kg were a slightly easier trade, with the top third of lots averaging €2.12/kg, average-quality at €1.90/kg and poor-quality aged heifers dropping back to €1.60/kg to €1.70/kg for poorly-conformed types.

Good-quality R- and U-grading bullocks and heifers weighing 400kg to 500kg continue to trade on average from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg, with select excellent-quality lots rising to a top price of €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg.

Angus and Hereford heifers are typically selling within a price range of €1.80/kg to €2.00/kg, with plainer-quality lots that will struggle to grade falling below this price range.

Weanling trade

Farmers remain the main buyers for weanling bulls, although shippers are active for small numbers of excellent-quality lots appearing.

Good-quality continental bulls weighing 300kg to 400kg range in price from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg, with the best-quality lots rising to €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg. Well-muscled U+ and E grading lots suitable for export are selling, in cases, from €2.60/kg to €3/kg, with live exporters appearing more active for bulls weighing in the region of 400kg or lower.

Better-quality types weighing 400kg to 450kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg on average

Prices paid for heavier bulls have been boosted by a higher percentage of younger autumn-born bulls appearing in sales.

Better-quality types weighing 400kg to 450kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg on average, with plainer-quality types and lots with poor weight for age selling back to €2/kg.

Dry cows

The steadying in dry cow prices in the factory is leading to a steadier trade in mart sales.

The average price analysed through the Martbids system for cows was recorded at €1.44/kg, up 2c/kg on the previous week.

Prices paid for R grading cows vary greatly depending on the age and weight of cow on offer.

Aged lots are starting in the region of €1.45/kg to €1.50/kg, with top-quality lots rising to €1.70/kg to €1.75/kg.

Heavier carcase O grading cows are typically selling from €1.15/kg to €1.30/kg

U grading lots and young cow heifers are attracting extra competition, with Northern Ireland-based buyers active, and ranging in price at the top of the market from €1.70/kg to €1.85/kg and in isolated cases rising to €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg.

Heavier carcase O grading cows are typically selling from €1.15/kg to €1.30/kg, with cows lacking flesh and P grading lots continuing to sell back to €1/kg.

A small selection of poor-quality cows coming straight from the parlour and lacking significant flesh are generally selling from 70c/kg upwards.