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There has been a sharp increase in prices for heavy and finished cattle of all classes in the marts over the last few days.
Reports suggest increased demand coming mostly from specialist finishers working on weekly supply arrangements with meat processors.
Prices for top-quality continental steers hit an average 208p/kg based on Irish Farmers Journal Martwatch data, up 8p/kg on the previous week, although actual prices in some larger marts have topped 215p/kg. On a 680kg animal, the 8p/kg price increase amounts to an extra £54 per head. A live price of 208p/kg equates to a finished price of 365p/kg based on a 57% kill-out for an intensively finished animal.
With factories paying 346p/kg to 352p/kg for the majority of cattle, the live trade for fat cattle has moved well ahead of factory prices.
Reports from finishers and factory agents suggest that there is a steady demand for cattle at present, but numbers of clean cattle have started to tighten.
Other cattle agents indicate that they have finishers re-stocking sheds in preparation for an increase in beef sales as Easter approaches.
R-grading animals have seen a bigger increase in demand and price. Prices for these cattle are averaging 191p/kg, up 16p/kg on the previous week’s figure.
On the same 680kg steer, this translates into an increase of £122 per head.
Mart prices for Friesian-type cattle have also improved, with an average price of 171p/kg paid. This is up 22p/kg on last week as larger finishers look to these cattle to maintain throughput.
The live trade for finished heifers is equally strong, with top-quality animals selling to an average price of 209p/kg, while R-grade animals are selling to an average of 196p/kg.
Some marts report prices for slaughter fit steers reaching as high as £1,520 for top-quality continental steers weighing 760kg, while prices of £1,400 and above have been paid on cattle weighing 650kg to 700kg liveweight.
With mart prices recovering from the traditional post-Christmas lull, some buying agents have said that farmers with smaller numbers are selling more cattle live rather than going directly to the factory.
As supplies of prime cattle tighten, cow prices are also benefiting. Marts report top prices of above 200p/kg for well-fleshed continental-bred cows with older, plainer cows selling to 180p/kg.
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