While the mart trade has remained quite strong overall, there continues to be price pressure on light dairy-cross stock in all parts of the country.
In stronger suckler areas, mart managers have commented that the trade for R and U grade stores is steady, as smaller numbers are matching demand and, in some cases, resulting in some slight price increases.
Light dairy-cross store bullocks and heifers under 400kg are a difficult trade in some areas, particularly where poor-quality Friesians are on offer.
In some cases, prices of €1.40/kg to €1.50/kg are quite common for Friesian bullocks under 400kg.
However, in contrast, where they are on offer and weighing 500kg or more, they are selling from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg and up to €1.90/kg for well-conformed types.
The number of calves on offer around the country is small, but demand is still quite steady, with exporters still actively sourcing all export-quality Angus calves.
The majority of two- to three-week-old Angus bulls are selling from €160 to €180/head, while heifers are making from €140/head to €170/head.
Farmer buyers, at this stage, are tending to favour stronger and weaned calves.
Steers
Short-keep and factory-fit bullocks over 600kg are low in number and prices are steady. The majority are selling from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg for average-quality types and up to €2.45/kg at the top of the market. Forward stores from 500kg to 600kg are steady, although the quality on offer is not as good as last week. The average 550kg bullock is making close to €1,200/head. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are steady and farmer buyers are focusing on sourcing R and U grades.
Heifers
The number of heavy heifers on offer is very low and these are selling mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for heavy types over 500kg. The top end of quality are making from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg. Stores from 400kg to 500kg are a steady trade. As with bullocks, farmer buyers are the main drivers of the trade. While quality is back a little overall, where good continentals are on offer, prices are firm at €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality types. U grade heifers are selling from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg.
Weanlings
Weanling prices have rebounded to where they were a few weeks ago, with farmers and exporters creating the main demand. Heavy bulls over 450kg are coming to the fore in some sales, but numbers are small. Where on offer, prices of €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg are common. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg are selling mainly from €750 to €850/head for average-quality types. Heifers are making about 10c/kg more than the equivalent bull. Light bulls under 300kg are firm where the quality is good, but dairy-crosses are under pressure.
Read more
Camera at the mart: factory agents placing floor under lamb prices
Numbers easing but cattle prices holding firm at Keady Mart
Camera at the mart: quality cattle a flying trade at Ballyjamesduff
Camera at the mart: farmer buyers active for quality stores
While the mart trade has remained quite strong overall, there continues to be price pressure on light dairy-cross stock in all parts of the country.
In stronger suckler areas, mart managers have commented that the trade for R and U grade stores is steady, as smaller numbers are matching demand and, in some cases, resulting in some slight price increases.
Light dairy-cross store bullocks and heifers under 400kg are a difficult trade in some areas, particularly where poor-quality Friesians are on offer.
In some cases, prices of €1.40/kg to €1.50/kg are quite common for Friesian bullocks under 400kg.
However, in contrast, where they are on offer and weighing 500kg or more, they are selling from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg and up to €1.90/kg for well-conformed types.
The number of calves on offer around the country is small, but demand is still quite steady, with exporters still actively sourcing all export-quality Angus calves.
The majority of two- to three-week-old Angus bulls are selling from €160 to €180/head, while heifers are making from €140/head to €170/head.
Farmer buyers, at this stage, are tending to favour stronger and weaned calves.
Steers
Short-keep and factory-fit bullocks over 600kg are low in number and prices are steady. The majority are selling from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg for average-quality types and up to €2.45/kg at the top of the market. Forward stores from 500kg to 600kg are steady, although the quality on offer is not as good as last week. The average 550kg bullock is making close to €1,200/head. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are steady and farmer buyers are focusing on sourcing R and U grades.
Heifers
The number of heavy heifers on offer is very low and these are selling mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for heavy types over 500kg. The top end of quality are making from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg. Stores from 400kg to 500kg are a steady trade. As with bullocks, farmer buyers are the main drivers of the trade. While quality is back a little overall, where good continentals are on offer, prices are firm at €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality types. U grade heifers are selling from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg.
Weanlings
Weanling prices have rebounded to where they were a few weeks ago, with farmers and exporters creating the main demand. Heavy bulls over 450kg are coming to the fore in some sales, but numbers are small. Where on offer, prices of €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg are common. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg are selling mainly from €750 to €850/head for average-quality types. Heifers are making about 10c/kg more than the equivalent bull. Light bulls under 300kg are firm where the quality is good, but dairy-crosses are under pressure.
Read more
Camera at the mart: factory agents placing floor under lamb prices
Numbers easing but cattle prices holding firm at Keady Mart
Camera at the mart: quality cattle a flying trade at Ballyjamesduff
Camera at the mart: farmer buyers active for quality stores
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