The past week has seen another steady trade in marts across the country. Numbers on offer were a little lower in the past seven days, with some farmers keeping cattle for special sales in the coming week. Activity has remained strong, backed by firm farmer demand, even in the northwest where ground conditions are becoming an issue.

Store cattle continue to be sought by farmers and feeders with light store heifers seeing a price increase. Farmer buyers continue to keep a firm floor under the weanling trade and, as a result, prices are only marginally back on the same week last year, despite a more difficult beef trade.

In some areas, exporters continue to be active for light bulls. The cow trade has seen a slight slippage in the prices of feeding types, but fleshed cows are steady.

Steers

Forward store bullocks saw prices ease slightly in the past week. This is on the back of less special sales and plainer cattle available. Store bullocks from 400kg to 500kg were a solid trade and sold from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality lots, with top-quality types making from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg. Forward steers from 500kg to 600kg sold from €2.05/kg to €2.20/kg on average and up to €2.40/kg for U grades. Farmers and feeders continue to be the main buyers of stores at the ringside.

Heifer

The heifer trade has held firm. Average prices are running about €70/head behind the same week last year. The average heifer from 500kg to 600kg is making from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg for average-quality types. Lighter stores are an improved trade and are making from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg for average-quality types. The top third of heifers in the same weight category is selling from €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg, backed by firm farmer demand. Where Angus and Herefords are on offer, prices of €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg are common.

Weanlings

The weanling trade has held firm, but the number on offer continues to be small as farmers hold out for special sales to offload top-quality types. A strong grass supply in the south is leading farmers to maximise weight gain prior to sale. Bulls are making from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg for average-quality types, while the top third are making from €2.50/kg to €2.65/kg. Heifers are a firm trade also and are selling from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg and over €3.00/kg for top-quality types.

Read more

Read this week's Camera at the mart report from Macroom here

Read this week's mart report from Drumshambo here

Read this week's mart report from Ballina here