Mart managers are reporting stronger farmer buyer activity in the past week, coinciding with the roll-out of BPS payments to farmers.

Mart managers have said that store cattle have improved once again and are now running at similar prices to a few weeks ago, but overall prices are still well back on last year’s levels.

Plain-quality cattle are still the most difficult trade, with demand varying from sale to sale.

Friesian bullocks are the worst affected price-wise, but where good-quality types are on offer, there are still plenty of buyers for them. Aged cattle are a difficult trade also, especially slaughter-fit types, stemming from the current difficulties in getting cattle killed.

While the numbers of cows on offer in the south are low, mart managers are reporting large numbers of cows on offer at many marts in the northwest and midlands, and this is leading to a mixed trade.

There is now little exporter activity for weanling bulls, with the majority of the trade now centred on farmer demand.

Steers

The prices of all types of stores have recovered to where they were a few weeks ago. The average 600kg bullock is selling at €1.80/kg, some 25c/kg or €150/head back on the same time last year. Forward stores from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg in stronger suckler areas, with some sales averaging €2.00/kg. Prices are again running 26c/kg or €145/head behind the same period last year. The top third of bullocks in the same weight range are selling from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg, depending on quality.

Heifers

The heifer trade has improved slightly in the last week also, but like the bullock trade, prices are running up to 20c/kg behind the same time last year. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg are selling for €1.90/kg on average and for up to €2.12/kg for the top third. Plain-quality heifers are a difficult trade and are selling from €1.60/kg to €1.80/kg. Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg are steady and are selling for around €1.90/kg, but in stronger suckler areas prices are closer to the €2.00/kg mark.

Weanlings

While forward stores saw some price recovery, the trade for weanlings saw prices come under a little more pressure, with sales almost fully dependent on farmer demand. However, where special sales are taking place, the trade is better. Average 300kg to 400kg weanling bulls are selling for €2.20/kg across the country, with plain-quality calves making from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg. The top third of bulls in the same weight range are selling from €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg, but prices are still 25c/kg or €90/head behind the same week last year.

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