There have been welcome signs of a lift to the mart trade in recent days.
Mart managers have noticed an increase in farmer buyer activity, coinciding with lower overall entries of cattle in most areas.
Farmers who have gotten cattle slaughtered are now back out looking to replace stock. In most cases, they have been delayed from purchasing stores by a month or two resulting from the cattle kill backlog.
The beef price rise in the North has translated as a direct positive to some marts in border regions, with increased northern buyer activity as a result.
However, it should be noted that this increase in northern demand is being caused by a small core of northern buyers.
In the south, there have been signs of an improvement in the trade for all types of store cattle, mostly lighter types under 450kg.
The lift is being seen in the demand for plainer-quality Friesians alongside continentals and traditional breeds.
The cull cow trade has remained firm, with little to no price increases around the country.
However, with low numbers still on offer, demand is outstripping supply and they are an easier sell.
Steers
Light store bullocks have seen prices increase strongly in recent days, with prices up by €40 to €50/head on last week. Farmer buyer and feeder buyer activity has increased, which has resulted in prices now back on par with the same time last year. Heavier and short-keep steers are still a slower sell than lighter types, with average prices still running 10c/kg behind the same time last year. Aged bullocks are still a hard sell in many areas, with only small numbers of buyers sourcing them.
Heifers
Heifer prices have improved also. Again, lighter store heifers have seen the best improvement, driven again by increased farmer demand for all types. In the south, light Angus and Hereford heifers are selling mainly from €1.70/kg to €1.90/kg, which is on par with the same time last year. Continentals are running just slightly behind the same week last year. Like steers, heavy heifers are a steadier trade, with prices only slightly improved on the previous week and average prices are still running 10c/kg or €50 to €60/head behind the same time last year.
Weanlings
Numbers on offer are reducing quickly, with many marts in the midlands and west reporting reducing numbers. Again, due to increased demand, prices have started to edge up, with farmers sourcing again after slaughtering stock. The average 350kg weanling bull is making €2.15/kg, slightly higher than the same time last year, while heifers are also running above the same week last year. In recent sales, some mart managers are reporting weanling prices to be running up to €20/head above the same week last year.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: increased competition lifts prices sharply in Tuam
Camera at the Mart: lift in the trade for store lambs at Carnaross
Camera at the Mart: prices up at Rathfriland cattle sale
Northern View: farmers hold out for higher prices
There have been welcome signs of a lift to the mart trade in recent days.
Mart managers have noticed an increase in farmer buyer activity, coinciding with lower overall entries of cattle in most areas.
Farmers who have gotten cattle slaughtered are now back out looking to replace stock. In most cases, they have been delayed from purchasing stores by a month or two resulting from the cattle kill backlog.
The beef price rise in the North has translated as a direct positive to some marts in border regions, with increased northern buyer activity as a result.
However, it should be noted that this increase in northern demand is being caused by a small core of northern buyers.
In the south, there have been signs of an improvement in the trade for all types of store cattle, mostly lighter types under 450kg.
The lift is being seen in the demand for plainer-quality Friesians alongside continentals and traditional breeds.
The cull cow trade has remained firm, with little to no price increases around the country.
However, with low numbers still on offer, demand is outstripping supply and they are an easier sell.
Steers
Light store bullocks have seen prices increase strongly in recent days, with prices up by €40 to €50/head on last week. Farmer buyer and feeder buyer activity has increased, which has resulted in prices now back on par with the same time last year. Heavier and short-keep steers are still a slower sell than lighter types, with average prices still running 10c/kg behind the same time last year. Aged bullocks are still a hard sell in many areas, with only small numbers of buyers sourcing them.
Heifers
Heifer prices have improved also. Again, lighter store heifers have seen the best improvement, driven again by increased farmer demand for all types. In the south, light Angus and Hereford heifers are selling mainly from €1.70/kg to €1.90/kg, which is on par with the same time last year. Continentals are running just slightly behind the same week last year. Like steers, heavy heifers are a steadier trade, with prices only slightly improved on the previous week and average prices are still running 10c/kg or €50 to €60/head behind the same time last year.
Weanlings
Numbers on offer are reducing quickly, with many marts in the midlands and west reporting reducing numbers. Again, due to increased demand, prices have started to edge up, with farmers sourcing again after slaughtering stock. The average 350kg weanling bull is making €2.15/kg, slightly higher than the same time last year, while heifers are also running above the same week last year. In recent sales, some mart managers are reporting weanling prices to be running up to €20/head above the same week last year.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: increased competition lifts prices sharply in Tuam
Camera at the Mart: lift in the trade for store lambs at Carnaross
Camera at the Mart: prices up at Rathfriland cattle sale
Northern View: farmers hold out for higher prices
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