An initial analysis of trade at the first autumn sales of suckled calves in NI suggests prices are up by over 50% when compared to the same week in 2024.
At Ballymena Livestock Market last Saturday, 657 suckled calves sold to top prices of over 600p/kg, with some exceptional calves making prices of over 700p and even breaking the 800p/kg barrier in a few cases.
The main run of good quality continental-bred commercial calves made prices in and around 550 to 600p/kg, which compares to prices of 350 to 400p/kg for a similar run of calves at the same sale in 2024. A 320kg weanling bull achieving an average of 375p/kg in 2024, equated to a final price of £1,200. Assuming the same calf makes 575p/kg in 2025, it is a price of £1,840, which is a 53% increase in just one year.
The same trend in significantly increased prices was also seen in Swatragh Mart on Monday.
The very top end of heifer and bull calves achieved prices of over 700p/kg, compared to top prices of just over 450p/kg in 2024.
See our mart report from Ballymena on p56.
Beef trade
Meanwhile, base quotes for U-3 cattle have eased slightly in some cases to a best of 634p/kg. The actual prices being paid remain largely steady, although factories are reluctant to do deals into the 660s and keen to buy cattle closer to the 652p to 654p/kg mark.
Sources in the trade maintain that steaks and other high value cuts remain difficult to sell and that is having a negative impact on their margins.
Numbers coming forward have also been tight, which has helped underpin prices paid to farmers.
However, with a return to wet weather, there are more cattle available this week and into next.
SHARING OPTIONS