There continues to be an air of positivity around mart rings right across the country.

While the wet weather has dampened down buyer activity in some areas, in the main, demand continues to be strong for all types of store cattle, while feedlot buyers continue to be active for all types of heavy feeding cattle over 550kg.

Weanlings are a strong trade also, with better-quality cattle being met with the best demand and highest prices.

Mart managers have said that at the top of the market, top-quality cattle are on par with the same time last year. The cow trade has seen numbers reduce, but prices are holding firm for all good-quality types.

Feeding Friesians are a steady trade at their weight, while those carrying some flesh are selling from €1.10/kg to €1.20/kg, with slaughter-fit types over €1.40/kg. Continental cows are selling to €1.90/kg at the top of the market, but the majority of feeding cows are selling from €1.60/kg to €1.70/kg, with older types from €1.30/kg to €1.50/kg.

Steers

Heavy bullocks over 600kg are steady, with prices from €2.00/kg to €2.25/kg and up to €2.30/kg in some areas. The top third of bullocks over 500kg are from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg, with average-quality types from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg. Where plain dairy-cross types are on offer, prices are variable, mainly from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg. In some areas, Angus and Hereford are making over €1.80/kg. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.35/kg for continentals, with the top third making from €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg.

Heifers

The heifer trade is running slightly ahead of the equivalent bullock trade, with heavy heifers over 600kg from €2.00/kg to €2.30/kg. Plainer types are from €1.50/kg upwards. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg are selling from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg for average-quality types. The top third in the same weight range are selling from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg. Farmer demand for lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg is very strong and prices are up slightly on last week. The average 450kg heifer is making €990 just 7c/kg short of 2018.

Weanlings

Weanling prices are holding quite firm so far, with better-quality types slightly improved in some areas. The average 500kg U bull is making €1,250/head. Weanling bulls from 300kg to 400kg saw prices improve by €10 to €15/head on last week. The average 350kg bull is making €810, with heifers making €10 to €20 more than this. The average 280kg bull is making €660, with heifers making €670/head, which is similar to last week, with better-quality types selling for a 20c/kg premium on this.

Read more

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