Numbers across marts remain very strong for the time of year, with the threat of closure due to COVID-19 restrictions firmly imprinted in people’s minds.
Neither buyer nor seller wants this scenario to happen, which is leading to increased activity in case it does.
This, coupled with much of the country looking at housing stock if not housed already, means marts are reporting increased numbers offered for sale.
This influx in numbers means that prices are starting to ease back slightly for steers and heifers.
Fit animals are faring best from this easing, as factory feedlots have shown increased demand over the last week or two for these forward cattle.
Ideally, they’re looking for Angus- and Hereford-cross to secure bonuses, but have a price for all types of the correct weight
Steers of 600kg-plus have held their price on the week, with an average price just shy of the €2/kg.
Heifers of the same weight came in at the same price per kg, but this is back 5c/kg on the week.
These factory feedlots and agents are also keeping an eye out for short-keep cattle, which is helping to hold price.
Ideally, they’re looking for Angus- and Hereford-cross to secure bonuses, but have a price for all types of the correct weight.
Steers weighing 500kg to 600kg dropped by 4c/kg on the week to settle at €1.99/kg, while heifers at that weight were back 5c/kg to settle at €2.03.
A drop of 11c/kg was witnessed for the top third of prices for bullocks between 350kg and 400kg
Seeing the biggest drop on the week are better-quality light steers and heifers.
A drop of 11c/kg was witnessed for the top third of prices for bullocks between 350kg and 400kg.
Similarly, heifers of the same weight reported a drop of 6c/kg. Much of this can be put down to some farmer activity dropping off due to the early housing.
Weanlings
Looking at the weanling prices, although most are seeing a drop, prices are still well up on the year.
If we look at the breed breakdown tables, this is very evident, especially for the lighter-weight, better-carcase weanling bulls and heifers.
If we look at Figure 3, we see that over 40% of all weanlings sold through the mart in the last four weeks were sired by Charolais bulls.
These large numbers were met with a very strong trade, with Charolais bull weanlings between 200kg and 300kg recording one of the highest average sale prices of all at €2.73/kg, up a massive 31c on the year.
This big increase was also seen for heifers of the same weight, but at a lower 2019 average.
Looking at the Limousin breed, it represented over 35% of all weanlings through the mart, with strongest demand again for those lighter, better-shaped cattle.
Impressive average
While the increase on the year wasn’t as big as the Charolais, an impressive average of €2.54/kg was seen for light weanling bulls.
The Belgian Blue breed reported the highest average in most weight divisions, with 300kg to 400kg heifers selling for a massive average of €2.79/kg.
Some of the biggest increases on the year came from the Angus and Hereford breeds
However, it must be noted that only 4.15% of all weanlings sold were sired by a Blue.
Some of the biggest increases on the year came from the Angus and Hereford breeds.
Angus prices
The majority of Angus weanling bull and heifer prices hovered around the €2/kg mark, with averages rising by over 30c/kg in some cases.
The Hereford average is of a similar trend, but the increase on the year is substantially more.
This could be for a number of factors, most likely the strong demand seen this year for traditional breed stores is being mirrored to the weanling trade.
Read more
MartBids: light continental heifers in demand in Ballinrobe
In pictures: Tullamore Farm heifer sale preview - lots 800-814
Quiz: Thrive finishing cattle weights and grades
Numbers across marts remain very strong for the time of year, with the threat of closure due to COVID-19 restrictions firmly imprinted in people’s minds.
Neither buyer nor seller wants this scenario to happen, which is leading to increased activity in case it does.
This, coupled with much of the country looking at housing stock if not housed already, means marts are reporting increased numbers offered for sale.
This influx in numbers means that prices are starting to ease back slightly for steers and heifers.
Fit animals are faring best from this easing, as factory feedlots have shown increased demand over the last week or two for these forward cattle.
Ideally, they’re looking for Angus- and Hereford-cross to secure bonuses, but have a price for all types of the correct weight
Steers of 600kg-plus have held their price on the week, with an average price just shy of the €2/kg.
Heifers of the same weight came in at the same price per kg, but this is back 5c/kg on the week.
These factory feedlots and agents are also keeping an eye out for short-keep cattle, which is helping to hold price.
Ideally, they’re looking for Angus- and Hereford-cross to secure bonuses, but have a price for all types of the correct weight.
Steers weighing 500kg to 600kg dropped by 4c/kg on the week to settle at €1.99/kg, while heifers at that weight were back 5c/kg to settle at €2.03.
A drop of 11c/kg was witnessed for the top third of prices for bullocks between 350kg and 400kg
Seeing the biggest drop on the week are better-quality light steers and heifers.
A drop of 11c/kg was witnessed for the top third of prices for bullocks between 350kg and 400kg.
Similarly, heifers of the same weight reported a drop of 6c/kg. Much of this can be put down to some farmer activity dropping off due to the early housing.
Weanlings
Looking at the weanling prices, although most are seeing a drop, prices are still well up on the year.
If we look at the breed breakdown tables, this is very evident, especially for the lighter-weight, better-carcase weanling bulls and heifers.
If we look at Figure 3, we see that over 40% of all weanlings sold through the mart in the last four weeks were sired by Charolais bulls.
These large numbers were met with a very strong trade, with Charolais bull weanlings between 200kg and 300kg recording one of the highest average sale prices of all at €2.73/kg, up a massive 31c on the year.
This big increase was also seen for heifers of the same weight, but at a lower 2019 average.
Looking at the Limousin breed, it represented over 35% of all weanlings through the mart, with strongest demand again for those lighter, better-shaped cattle.
Impressive average
While the increase on the year wasn’t as big as the Charolais, an impressive average of €2.54/kg was seen for light weanling bulls.
The Belgian Blue breed reported the highest average in most weight divisions, with 300kg to 400kg heifers selling for a massive average of €2.79/kg.
Some of the biggest increases on the year came from the Angus and Hereford breeds
However, it must be noted that only 4.15% of all weanlings sold were sired by a Blue.
Some of the biggest increases on the year came from the Angus and Hereford breeds.
Angus prices
The majority of Angus weanling bull and heifer prices hovered around the €2/kg mark, with averages rising by over 30c/kg in some cases.
The Hereford average is of a similar trend, but the increase on the year is substantially more.
This could be for a number of factors, most likely the strong demand seen this year for traditional breed stores is being mirrored to the weanling trade.
Read more
MartBids: light continental heifers in demand in Ballinrobe
In pictures: Tullamore Farm heifer sale preview - lots 800-814
Quiz: Thrive finishing cattle weights and grades
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