The mart trade has seen another decrease in numbers on offer in the past week and the quality of cattle on offer has continued to drop.
There has been an increase in the number of aged bullocks and heifers on offer and the demand is mixed for these, depending on the part of the country you are in.
The past few days have seen a marked increase in the number of feedlot buyers around mart rings, particularly in the south and midlands. They are mainly sourcing Angus- and Hereford-cross cattle suitable for finishing.
The main demand is for those over 500kg that are in-spec and will be finished under 30 months in the spring.
The increased demand for these has seen a slight upwards trend in mart prices as a result. The majority of these are selling from €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg, with some traded at up to €2.00/kg once again. Quality is king though, with Angus-cross cattle with poor-quality frames still being met with a variable trade.
Steers
The average 600kg bullock is making €1,180/head, back €30 to €40/head on the same time last year. The majority of farmer buyers are still focused on sourcing the better-quality types and the price of the top third is only back marginally on the same period last year. The average 500kg bullock has seen a slight improvement in average prices, as feeder demand is starting to increase and numbers are tight. Lighter 400kg to 500kg stores are selling for about twice the weight as average-quality types and for up to €2.40/kg for the top third.
Heifers
Heifer prices are firm where good-quality types are on offer, but the quality passing through marts, like bullocks, is declining at this stage of the year. The average 550kg heifer is making €1,100, with the top third making €1,240. A 500kg Angus is making about €900/head. Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg are much more plentiful than heavier types and prices are holding firm. The average 450kg heifer is back by €40 to €50/head on the same time last year.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is holding firm in the case of bulls, while slightly improved demand for the lower number of weanling heifers on offer is resulting in an improved trade, a point which has been re-enforced by mart managers. Weanling heifers have seen prices improve by 3c to 6c/kg in the past week, but average prices are still running about 10c/kg or €30 to €40/head behind the same week last year. Feedlots are actively sourcing forward bulls for feeding, with prices of R+ and U grades ranging from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg.
Read more
Camera at the mart: strong trade for well-muscled beef cattle in Tralee
Camera at the mart: dairy in-calf heifers sell to €1,740
Camera at the mart: lamb prices up €3-4/head at Cahir Mart
Camera at the mart: electric Christmas sale at Keady Mart
Northern view: strong supplies keep cattle prices under pressure
The mart trade has seen another decrease in numbers on offer in the past week and the quality of cattle on offer has continued to drop.
There has been an increase in the number of aged bullocks and heifers on offer and the demand is mixed for these, depending on the part of the country you are in.
The past few days have seen a marked increase in the number of feedlot buyers around mart rings, particularly in the south and midlands. They are mainly sourcing Angus- and Hereford-cross cattle suitable for finishing.
The main demand is for those over 500kg that are in-spec and will be finished under 30 months in the spring.
The increased demand for these has seen a slight upwards trend in mart prices as a result. The majority of these are selling from €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg, with some traded at up to €2.00/kg once again. Quality is king though, with Angus-cross cattle with poor-quality frames still being met with a variable trade.
Steers
The average 600kg bullock is making €1,180/head, back €30 to €40/head on the same time last year. The majority of farmer buyers are still focused on sourcing the better-quality types and the price of the top third is only back marginally on the same period last year. The average 500kg bullock has seen a slight improvement in average prices, as feeder demand is starting to increase and numbers are tight. Lighter 400kg to 500kg stores are selling for about twice the weight as average-quality types and for up to €2.40/kg for the top third.
Heifers
Heifer prices are firm where good-quality types are on offer, but the quality passing through marts, like bullocks, is declining at this stage of the year. The average 550kg heifer is making €1,100, with the top third making €1,240. A 500kg Angus is making about €900/head. Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg are much more plentiful than heavier types and prices are holding firm. The average 450kg heifer is back by €40 to €50/head on the same time last year.
Weanlings
The weanling trade is holding firm in the case of bulls, while slightly improved demand for the lower number of weanling heifers on offer is resulting in an improved trade, a point which has been re-enforced by mart managers. Weanling heifers have seen prices improve by 3c to 6c/kg in the past week, but average prices are still running about 10c/kg or €30 to €40/head behind the same week last year. Feedlots are actively sourcing forward bulls for feeding, with prices of R+ and U grades ranging from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg.
Read more
Camera at the mart: strong trade for well-muscled beef cattle in Tralee
Camera at the mart: dairy in-calf heifers sell to €1,740
Camera at the mart: lamb prices up €3-4/head at Cahir Mart
Camera at the mart: electric Christmas sale at Keady Mart
Northern view: strong supplies keep cattle prices under pressure
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