Usually at this stage of the year, average prices fall off quickly, as both demand and the quality of stock on offer take a seasonal dip.
However, the trade for all cattle types has held firm, despite lower numbers and lesser-quality stock on offer.
Feedlots are still active in the market for all good-quality types over 500kg, which is placing a firm floor under prices, particularly of Angus and Herefords.
However, cows are still a sluggish trade, with no recovery in sight so far.
The majority of Friesian culls coming to the fore in the south are selling from €0.80/kg to €1.00/kg, with some better types making over €1.10/kg.
Jersey cows and plain-quality thin and old Friesians are a more variable trade than they were a week or two ago.
Continental cull cows are selling for up to €1.90/kg, with some young cow heifers reaching €2.00/kg.
The majority of well-fleshed cows are selling from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg.
Steers
Demand for feeding bullocks is strong and those over 500kg are selling from €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg for Angus and Herefords, while continentals are making from €2.00/kg to €2.23/kg for average-quality types. The top third of continental bullocks are selling from €2.40/kg to €2.55/kg for U grades. Lighter store bullocks are selling from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg on average, but there are larger numbers of plain-quality light stores coming to the fore. The average 450kg continental is making €990/head, with Friesians around €1.50/kg.
Heifers
The heifer trade has held firm also, but, like light bullocks, there are signs of increased numbers of plainer-quality heifers on offer in marts. Those over 500kg that are good-quality are holding firm, with continentals making from €1,000 to €1,150, while top-quality types are selling to over €1,250/head. Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg for average-quality types, with the top third selling from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg. Dairy-cross heifers are making from €1.60/kg to €1.75/kg, depending on quality.
Weanlings
Like bullocks, weanlings are holding firm. Feeding bulls over 500kg are a strong trade, with feeders still actively buying, but the numbers on offer are low. The average 350kg bull is making about €20 to €25/head less than the same time last year. Heifers are much weaker in comparison, with prices back by 20c/kg on the same time last year, or €70 to €80/head. Light bulls and heifers are a little weaker, with prices running 1c to 2c/kg behind last week. The average 250kg bull is making €550/head.
Read more
Camera at the mart: prices buck the trend at Raphoe fatstock sale
Camera at the mart: steady lamb trade at Enniscorthy mart
Camera at the mart: butchers' lambs sell to €200 at Christmas fatstock sale
Camera at the mart: strong demand for in-calf heifers in Elphin
Northern view: cattle quotes slip to 340p/kg
Usually at this stage of the year, average prices fall off quickly, as both demand and the quality of stock on offer take a seasonal dip.
However, the trade for all cattle types has held firm, despite lower numbers and lesser-quality stock on offer.
Feedlots are still active in the market for all good-quality types over 500kg, which is placing a firm floor under prices, particularly of Angus and Herefords.
However, cows are still a sluggish trade, with no recovery in sight so far.
The majority of Friesian culls coming to the fore in the south are selling from €0.80/kg to €1.00/kg, with some better types making over €1.10/kg.
Jersey cows and plain-quality thin and old Friesians are a more variable trade than they were a week or two ago.
Continental cull cows are selling for up to €1.90/kg, with some young cow heifers reaching €2.00/kg.
The majority of well-fleshed cows are selling from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg.
Steers
Demand for feeding bullocks is strong and those over 500kg are selling from €1.75/kg to €1.90/kg for Angus and Herefords, while continentals are making from €2.00/kg to €2.23/kg for average-quality types. The top third of continental bullocks are selling from €2.40/kg to €2.55/kg for U grades. Lighter store bullocks are selling from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg on average, but there are larger numbers of plain-quality light stores coming to the fore. The average 450kg continental is making €990/head, with Friesians around €1.50/kg.
Heifers
The heifer trade has held firm also, but, like light bullocks, there are signs of increased numbers of plainer-quality heifers on offer in marts. Those over 500kg that are good-quality are holding firm, with continentals making from €1,000 to €1,150, while top-quality types are selling to over €1,250/head. Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg for average-quality types, with the top third selling from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg. Dairy-cross heifers are making from €1.60/kg to €1.75/kg, depending on quality.
Weanlings
Like bullocks, weanlings are holding firm. Feeding bulls over 500kg are a strong trade, with feeders still actively buying, but the numbers on offer are low. The average 350kg bull is making about €20 to €25/head less than the same time last year. Heifers are much weaker in comparison, with prices back by 20c/kg on the same time last year, or €70 to €80/head. Light bulls and heifers are a little weaker, with prices running 1c to 2c/kg behind last week. The average 250kg bull is making €550/head.
Read more
Camera at the mart: prices buck the trend at Raphoe fatstock sale
Camera at the mart: steady lamb trade at Enniscorthy mart
Camera at the mart: butchers' lambs sell to €200 at Christmas fatstock sale
Camera at the mart: strong demand for in-calf heifers in Elphin
Northern view: cattle quotes slip to 340p/kg
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