The past week has seen much greater farmer activity at marts throughout the country. This is coinciding with much larger sales as we head towards peak sale numbers in the coming weeks.
While store bullock and bull prices are said to be steady, there has been greater farmer demand for heifers which has been a big benefit to sales.
It is expected that the onset of BPS payments from the Department will drive more farmers to mart rings in search of cattle in the coming week.
Mart managers are expecting a rise in numbers on offer as sellers anticipate further increased buyer demand. Like recent weeks, the best demand is for forward stores over 500kg, with feeders and factory agents still very active. While farmer demand for lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg is improved, it is still not quite as strong as it is for heavier cattle or for weanlings.
Steers
Continental cattle over 500kg are a strong trade, with feeders actively sourcing all types for further feeding. Best prices are for top-quality R+ and U grades over 600kg suitable for finishing under 30 months, selling from €1,250 to €1,400 and over. Forward stores from 500kg to 600kg are from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg for average-quality continentals, while U grades are making over €2.30/kg. Angus and Herefords are selling from €1.80/kg to €2.00/kg. Lighter stores under 500kg are from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg for average quality types.
Heifers
Heifers have been met with more farmer demand and improved prices. The average 550kg heifer is selling for €1,180/head, with better-quality types making over €2.40/kg. Average prices in MartWatch show increases of 4c/kg to 12c/kg. Lighter heifers from 400kg to 500kg have seen an increase in the average price paid also. The average heifer is selling from €900 to €1,100, with the top third making from €1,150 to €1,250/head. Plainer heifers have seen prices increase also, with more farmer buyer demand for these.
Weanlings
Like store heifers, weanling heifers have been met with increased demand also, with farmers much more active than in recent weeks. The average 350kg heifer is selling mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg and to over €2.30/kg in stronger sucker areas. The top third of weanling heifers are selling mainly from €2.50/kg to €2.70/kg. Weanling bull are a reasonably steady trade where good-quality continentals are on offer, but plain dairy-cross calves are still a variable trade and are being met with weak demand in the south.
Read more
Camera at the mart: lively trade for suckler cows in Carnew
Camera at the mart: coloured cattle a strong trade in New Ross
Camera at the mart: more farmer demand for weanlings in Granard
Camera at the mart: superb trade for bull calves at Markethill Mart
Cattle quotes hold at 352p/kg with deals for heifers
The past week has seen much greater farmer activity at marts throughout the country. This is coinciding with much larger sales as we head towards peak sale numbers in the coming weeks.
While store bullock and bull prices are said to be steady, there has been greater farmer demand for heifers which has been a big benefit to sales.
It is expected that the onset of BPS payments from the Department will drive more farmers to mart rings in search of cattle in the coming week.
Mart managers are expecting a rise in numbers on offer as sellers anticipate further increased buyer demand. Like recent weeks, the best demand is for forward stores over 500kg, with feeders and factory agents still very active. While farmer demand for lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg is improved, it is still not quite as strong as it is for heavier cattle or for weanlings.
Steers
Continental cattle over 500kg are a strong trade, with feeders actively sourcing all types for further feeding. Best prices are for top-quality R+ and U grades over 600kg suitable for finishing under 30 months, selling from €1,250 to €1,400 and over. Forward stores from 500kg to 600kg are from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg for average-quality continentals, while U grades are making over €2.30/kg. Angus and Herefords are selling from €1.80/kg to €2.00/kg. Lighter stores under 500kg are from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg for average quality types.
Heifers
Heifers have been met with more farmer demand and improved prices. The average 550kg heifer is selling for €1,180/head, with better-quality types making over €2.40/kg. Average prices in MartWatch show increases of 4c/kg to 12c/kg. Lighter heifers from 400kg to 500kg have seen an increase in the average price paid also. The average heifer is selling from €900 to €1,100, with the top third making from €1,150 to €1,250/head. Plainer heifers have seen prices increase also, with more farmer buyer demand for these.
Weanlings
Like store heifers, weanling heifers have been met with increased demand also, with farmers much more active than in recent weeks. The average 350kg heifer is selling mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg and to over €2.30/kg in stronger sucker areas. The top third of weanling heifers are selling mainly from €2.50/kg to €2.70/kg. Weanling bull are a reasonably steady trade where good-quality continentals are on offer, but plain dairy-cross calves are still a variable trade and are being met with weak demand in the south.
Read more
Camera at the mart: lively trade for suckler cows in Carnew
Camera at the mart: coloured cattle a strong trade in New Ross
Camera at the mart: more farmer demand for weanlings in Granard
Camera at the mart: superb trade for bull calves at Markethill Mart
Cattle quotes hold at 352p/kg with deals for heifers
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