Mart sales are slow to build entries, with many managers reporting sales running well behind normal for the time of year.

The trade has resumed in a slower manner in some areas with continued uncertainty linked to a no-deal Brexit and beef price challenges said to be tempering demand.

This is particularly the case for plainer-quality stock, with the price differential continuing to widen.

This is not just the case between continental and dairy stock, there is a widening differential between quality irrespective of breed.

For example, there are Angus- and Hereford-cross stores selling at the bottom of the market from €1.40/kg to €1.60/kg with the best-quality lots rising to €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg.

Plain-quality Friesian bulls with poor weight for age are a difficult trade, with bulls selling from €1/kg to €1.30/kg.

Steers

Continental steers with good weight for age are meeting the best demand, with good R grading lots trading from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg, while better-quality U grading lots are rising to €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg.

The trade for traditional breed animals is varied, with quality dictating price.

The average is €1.80/kg to €1.95/kg, with better-quality lots to €2/kg and plainer quality back to €1.60/kg to €1.65/kg. Friesian steers are a challenging trade, with those weighing 500kg upwards selling from €1.30/kg to €1.55/kg, with P lots below this level.

Heifers

There is a similar trend for heifers.

Some mart managers are reporting a better trade for forward store heifers that will be finished in 70 to 90 days, while others are reporting greater caution on cattle that will be finished around the planned time line for the UK leaving the EU.

Heifers weighing 400kg to 500kg are selling from €1.65/kg to €1.80/kg at the bottom end of the market to €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg for average-quality lots analysed through MartWatch.

The best prices are rising to €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg.

Weanlings

The bull trade is meeting a mixed trade, with farmer buyers active for light bulls weighing 270kg to 350kg that are suitable for a bull or beef system, while demand in some marts for heavy bulls is being hit in cases by producers facing processing delays and price penalties on bulls deemed out-of-spec.

Numbers coming on the market in the west of the country are running below normal levels, with some managers pointing to a good reserve of forage on farms taking the pressure off farmers to move stock.

Read more

Top of €2.92/kg at Roscrea female fatstock show and sale

Camera at the mart: super trade to calf trade at Rathfriland Mart

Camera at the mart: lively trade for in-calf heifers in Carrigallen

Camera at the mart: steady resumption to trade in Carnaross

Northern view: beef prices harden with deals on offer