In some areas of the south, cattle numbers have started to slacken a little in the past week. However, in most parts of the country, sales continue to be very large and show no sign of dwindling just yet.
While the trade has, in the main, been steady for forward cattle and better-quality stores, feedlot demand is easing quickly, which will result in the bulk of demand in the coming weeks coming mostly from farmers.
While store cattle prices are holding quite well, weanling prices have come under a little more pressure.
In the south and in dairy areas, the numbers of dairy cull cows on offer have increased substantially in the past few weeks. The trade has held better than expected, with only a slight slippage seen in the prices paid for plainer cows.
The majority of average-quality dairy culls carrying some flesh and coming straight from the parlour are selling mainly from €1.00/kg to €1.10/kg. The majority of demand is from farmers looking to source store cows to over-winter and finish off grass next summer.
Steers
While feedlot activity has reduced slightly, farmer demand for short-keep bullocks has remained firm and, as a result, prices are reasonably steady for better-quality types. At some sales, plainer forward bullocks have seen prices ease slightly, while the top third are unchanged. The average 550kg bullock has seen prices ease slightly, but this is due mainly to a greater proportion of plainer-quality bullocks on offer. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg have seen a slightly better trade with prices averaging at €2.00/kg.
Heifers
The heifer trade has seen some improvements in recent weeks and that has continued into the last week, with prices of all stores holding firm to slightly improved. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg are selling from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg and for up to €2.20/kg in some sales, while the top third are selling from €1,140 to close to €1,370/head and over in some cases. Lighter stores have seen a slight increase in prices also, but average prices are running about €40 to €50/head behind the same time last year.
Weanlings
The weanling trade has seen a slight easing of prices, but this is more so a quality issue, as opposed to a slippage in the trade. Mart managers have said that where good-quality weanlings are on offer, prices are steady, but dairy-cross light weanlings under 300kg are still a slow sell. The average 350kg bull is making €760, while heifers are a slightly more difficult trade than this, with average types selling at €720/head. Light bulls are a steady trade, but average prices are running €50 to €70/head behind the same time last year.
Read more
Camera at the mart: fatstock season off to good start in Dingle
Camera at the mart: forward stores holding firm at Enniskillen Mart
Camera at the mart: quality cattle steady but plainer heifers a slower sell
Prices up €1 to €2/head at Roscrea sheep sale
Northern view: slow beef trade sees base quotes easing 2p/kg
In some areas of the south, cattle numbers have started to slacken a little in the past week. However, in most parts of the country, sales continue to be very large and show no sign of dwindling just yet.
While the trade has, in the main, been steady for forward cattle and better-quality stores, feedlot demand is easing quickly, which will result in the bulk of demand in the coming weeks coming mostly from farmers.
While store cattle prices are holding quite well, weanling prices have come under a little more pressure.
In the south and in dairy areas, the numbers of dairy cull cows on offer have increased substantially in the past few weeks. The trade has held better than expected, with only a slight slippage seen in the prices paid for plainer cows.
The majority of average-quality dairy culls carrying some flesh and coming straight from the parlour are selling mainly from €1.00/kg to €1.10/kg. The majority of demand is from farmers looking to source store cows to over-winter and finish off grass next summer.
Steers
While feedlot activity has reduced slightly, farmer demand for short-keep bullocks has remained firm and, as a result, prices are reasonably steady for better-quality types. At some sales, plainer forward bullocks have seen prices ease slightly, while the top third are unchanged. The average 550kg bullock has seen prices ease slightly, but this is due mainly to a greater proportion of plainer-quality bullocks on offer. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg have seen a slightly better trade with prices averaging at €2.00/kg.
Heifers
The heifer trade has seen some improvements in recent weeks and that has continued into the last week, with prices of all stores holding firm to slightly improved. Heifers from 500kg to 600kg are selling from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg and for up to €2.20/kg in some sales, while the top third are selling from €1,140 to close to €1,370/head and over in some cases. Lighter stores have seen a slight increase in prices also, but average prices are running about €40 to €50/head behind the same time last year.
Weanlings
The weanling trade has seen a slight easing of prices, but this is more so a quality issue, as opposed to a slippage in the trade. Mart managers have said that where good-quality weanlings are on offer, prices are steady, but dairy-cross light weanlings under 300kg are still a slow sell. The average 350kg bull is making €760, while heifers are a slightly more difficult trade than this, with average types selling at €720/head. Light bulls are a steady trade, but average prices are running €50 to €70/head behind the same time last year.
Read more
Camera at the mart: fatstock season off to good start in Dingle
Camera at the mart: forward stores holding firm at Enniskillen Mart
Camera at the mart: quality cattle steady but plainer heifers a slower sell
Prices up €1 to €2/head at Roscrea sheep sale
Northern view: slow beef trade sees base quotes easing 2p/kg
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: