Sales and numbers have tailed off quickly in the past week.
Some marts have seen slightly higher throughput in December than other years, with some farmers opting to sell for cashflow reasons, while demand is said to be steady with farmer buyers sourcing stock before the year end.
Dealer and agent activity has reduced in the past week. However, most orders are now filled up for the year-end.
Feedlot buyer activity is still strong for forward and short-keep stores.
However, the number of heavy cattle on offer is diminishing quickly. This is a trend that has continued over the past few weeks.
With smaller sales, the quality of stock on offer continues to decline, with a greater proportion of dairy-cross stock and plain suckler progeny turning out at marts.
The cull cow trade is holding quite firm across the country, but, overall, numbers on offer have reduced.
Average prices are well back on the same time last year as a result of beef price pressure. The majority of Friesian culls are selling from the weight to €120 under the weight.
Steers
The number of heavy bullocks on offer is low, but where well-fleshed in-spec types are on offer, demand is still strong, despite a challenging beef market. The average 650kg steer is running over €115/head behind the same week last year. The average 550kg steer is making €1,045, while U grades are selling for up to €1,300/head. Farmer demand for lighter store bullocks under 500kg has increased slightly, but mainly for better-quality continentals, with plainer cattle still being met with a more difficult trade.
Heifers
While heifer prices recorded in the MartWatch system have improved on last week, average prices are still significantly back on last year. The average 550kg heifer is running close to €90/head behind the same time last year. The variability in prices is still large, with the top third of 500kg to 600kg heifers in some areas averaging over €2.60/kg. In areas with a larger dairy influence, prices are running up to €1/kg below this. The average 450kg heifer is making €910, some €60/head less than the same week last year.
Weanlings
Variability is very visible in prices paid for weanlings. Angus-cross and Hereford weanlings continue to be a difficult trade right across the country, with farmer demand for plain weanlings low. The average 350kg bull is selling for €745/head, with heifers on par. The top third of bulls in the same weight range are making from €870 to €900/head, with heifers running about 10c to 15c/kg below this. Light weanling bulls are a variable trade, with Friesians hard to move in some areas. The average continental bull weighing 250kg is making €600/head.
Read more
Camera at the mart: prices up on last week at Sixmilebridge
Camera at the mart: steady cattle trade at Armoy Mart
Camera at the mart: strong demand for heavy heifers and bullocks at Headford
A challenging year for farmers and for prices
Northern view: price deals on offer for heifers
Sales and numbers have tailed off quickly in the past week.
Some marts have seen slightly higher throughput in December than other years, with some farmers opting to sell for cashflow reasons, while demand is said to be steady with farmer buyers sourcing stock before the year end.
Dealer and agent activity has reduced in the past week. However, most orders are now filled up for the year-end.
Feedlot buyer activity is still strong for forward and short-keep stores.
However, the number of heavy cattle on offer is diminishing quickly. This is a trend that has continued over the past few weeks.
With smaller sales, the quality of stock on offer continues to decline, with a greater proportion of dairy-cross stock and plain suckler progeny turning out at marts.
The cull cow trade is holding quite firm across the country, but, overall, numbers on offer have reduced.
Average prices are well back on the same time last year as a result of beef price pressure. The majority of Friesian culls are selling from the weight to €120 under the weight.
Steers
The number of heavy bullocks on offer is low, but where well-fleshed in-spec types are on offer, demand is still strong, despite a challenging beef market. The average 650kg steer is running over €115/head behind the same week last year. The average 550kg steer is making €1,045, while U grades are selling for up to €1,300/head. Farmer demand for lighter store bullocks under 500kg has increased slightly, but mainly for better-quality continentals, with plainer cattle still being met with a more difficult trade.
Heifers
While heifer prices recorded in the MartWatch system have improved on last week, average prices are still significantly back on last year. The average 550kg heifer is running close to €90/head behind the same time last year. The variability in prices is still large, with the top third of 500kg to 600kg heifers in some areas averaging over €2.60/kg. In areas with a larger dairy influence, prices are running up to €1/kg below this. The average 450kg heifer is making €910, some €60/head less than the same week last year.
Weanlings
Variability is very visible in prices paid for weanlings. Angus-cross and Hereford weanlings continue to be a difficult trade right across the country, with farmer demand for plain weanlings low. The average 350kg bull is selling for €745/head, with heifers on par. The top third of bulls in the same weight range are making from €870 to €900/head, with heifers running about 10c to 15c/kg below this. Light weanling bulls are a variable trade, with Friesians hard to move in some areas. The average continental bull weighing 250kg is making €600/head.
Read more
Camera at the mart: prices up on last week at Sixmilebridge
Camera at the mart: steady cattle trade at Armoy Mart
Camera at the mart: strong demand for heavy heifers and bullocks at Headford
A challenging year for farmers and for prices
Northern view: price deals on offer for heifers
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