The trade for heavy and short-keep steers has continued to be quite brisk where good-quality types are on offer. However, in contrast, where light plain Angus and Friesian stores and weanlings are on offer, the trade is quite difficult.
The worst areas affected are the southeast and some of the south with a large dairy influence.
The main feedlot buyers have increased their activity at ringsides right across the country as they start to source cattle for feeding for the Christmas trade. Initial reports are that they are very focused on the type, weight and price of animal they are buying so far. There are some reports of Angus bullocks being sourced for around €1.70/kg, which is well back on the same time last year.
Most marts are commenting that the numbers on offer are low at this stage in the west and midlands, as farmers hold off on selling cattle in the hope of the trade improving.
In parts of the south and southeast, numbers are on par with last year and clearance rates are high as most farmers showing cattle have to sell.
Steers
Heavy and short-keep steers are a firm trade, with prices averaging €1.95/kg. However, the majority of R grade continentals are selling from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg, with U grades from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg. Where plain Friesians are on offer, prices of €1.50/kg to €1.65/kg are common. Forward stores over 520kg are being met with good demand. The average 550kg bullock is making €1,120/head, with U grades making €1,350. Light stores are a difficult trade, selling for about €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg for average quality types.
Heifers
Like bullocks, forward heifers are a firm trade on last week and are selling for slightly more than the equivalent bullock, but overall numbers on offer are low. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg are being met with strong demand and are selling from €1,000 to €1,300 for average-quality types. Angus- and Hereford-cross heifers in the same weight range are selling mainly from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg. Light store heifers, like bullocks, are a difficult trade where plain-quality types are on offer. Prices are ranging mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg.
Weanlings
Heavy feeding bulls are a good trade. Although prices are back a little on last year, demand is strong. The average 450kg feeding bull is making €1,050 to €1,100/head. However, where plain-quality types are on offer, demand is weak and prices poor. A similar trend is evident in bulls and heifers from 300kg to 400kg. Only the very tops are getting into the €900/head bracket, with the average continental bull selling from €700 to €880/head. Light dairy-cross weanlings and runners are a difficult trade, with low demand.
Read more
Camera at the mart: short-keep and quality cattle firm
Camera at the mart: improved trade for quality weanlings at Ballina
Camera at the mart: solid lamb trade at Macroom Mart
Camera at the mart: super trade for store cattle in Omagh
Northern view: price deals on offer for in-spec cattle
The trade for heavy and short-keep steers has continued to be quite brisk where good-quality types are on offer. However, in contrast, where light plain Angus and Friesian stores and weanlings are on offer, the trade is quite difficult.
The worst areas affected are the southeast and some of the south with a large dairy influence.
The main feedlot buyers have increased their activity at ringsides right across the country as they start to source cattle for feeding for the Christmas trade. Initial reports are that they are very focused on the type, weight and price of animal they are buying so far. There are some reports of Angus bullocks being sourced for around €1.70/kg, which is well back on the same time last year.
Most marts are commenting that the numbers on offer are low at this stage in the west and midlands, as farmers hold off on selling cattle in the hope of the trade improving.
In parts of the south and southeast, numbers are on par with last year and clearance rates are high as most farmers showing cattle have to sell.
Steers
Heavy and short-keep steers are a firm trade, with prices averaging €1.95/kg. However, the majority of R grade continentals are selling from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg, with U grades from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg. Where plain Friesians are on offer, prices of €1.50/kg to €1.65/kg are common. Forward stores over 520kg are being met with good demand. The average 550kg bullock is making €1,120/head, with U grades making €1,350. Light stores are a difficult trade, selling for about €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg for average quality types.
Heifers
Like bullocks, forward heifers are a firm trade on last week and are selling for slightly more than the equivalent bullock, but overall numbers on offer are low. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg are being met with strong demand and are selling from €1,000 to €1,300 for average-quality types. Angus- and Hereford-cross heifers in the same weight range are selling mainly from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg. Light store heifers, like bullocks, are a difficult trade where plain-quality types are on offer. Prices are ranging mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg.
Weanlings
Heavy feeding bulls are a good trade. Although prices are back a little on last year, demand is strong. The average 450kg feeding bull is making €1,050 to €1,100/head. However, where plain-quality types are on offer, demand is weak and prices poor. A similar trend is evident in bulls and heifers from 300kg to 400kg. Only the very tops are getting into the €900/head bracket, with the average continental bull selling from €700 to €880/head. Light dairy-cross weanlings and runners are a difficult trade, with low demand.
Read more
Camera at the mart: short-keep and quality cattle firm
Camera at the mart: improved trade for quality weanlings at Ballina
Camera at the mart: solid lamb trade at Macroom Mart
Camera at the mart: super trade for store cattle in Omagh
Northern view: price deals on offer for in-spec cattle
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