Poor weather conditions over the weekend and in the early part of the week dampened both the supply and demand of stock at marts temporarily, but prices are holding firm with plenty of farmer demand still evident at mart rings.
The best farmer demand is for quality continental and Angus- and Hereford-cross stores. There is some improved export demand evident also.
The beef trade is impacting on the price of short-keep steers and heifers, with those over 600kg a little easier at some mart sales. The cull cow trade has improved slightly in the past few weeks. Numbers on offer are low and there is improved grass buyer demand.
Where fleshed continental cows are on offer, prices of €1.70/kg to €1.85/kg are available, with some young types breaching the €1.90/kg mark.
The majority of continental store cows are selling from €1.50/kg to €1.60/kg, with older and thin cows selling from €1.30/kg to €1.40/kg. Friesian cull cows are scarce and price is dependent on the level of flesh. Good-quality types are making over €1.40/kg, while thin cows suitable for grass are making €1.00/kg to €1.15/kg.
Steers
The numbers on offer has started to decrease, along with demand. While prices are steady, there are a greater proportion of plainer-quality steers passing through marts, which is affecting average prices. The average 550kg steer is selling from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg, with plainer types selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg. The best demand is for good-quality lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg, selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg and up to €2.50/kg and higher for U grades. Heavy bullocks over 600kg have seen prices ease slightly.
Heifers
The heifer trade has held quite firm. Heavy heifers are holding well despite beef price pressure. The average 600kg heifer is selling for twice the weight, with U grades from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg. Forward store heifers from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg for average-quality heifers and from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg for U grades. Like, bullocks farmer demand is for lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg suitable for grass. The average 450kg heifer is selling for €2.15/kg, with U grades making over €2.45/kg.
Weanlings
The weanling trade remains strong, with farmer and exporter demand placing a firm floor under the prices of stock. The average 350kg bull is selling for €784/head, with the equivalent heifer selling at similar prices. The top third of weanling bulls in the same weight range are selling from €2.60/kg to €2.70/kg, with heifers just marginally behind this on a price-per-kilo basis. The average 250kg bull is selling for €2.37/kg, with heifers selling for just 3c/kg less than the equivalent bull. Heavy bulls are a much easier trade than the same week last year.
Read more
Camera at the mart: farmer activity improved for all types of stores
Camera at the Mart: increased buying demand for cattle at Downpatrick
Friesian calf prices strengthen at Tralee Mart
Camera at the Mart: good entry of quality spring lambs
Northern View: positive signs as beef quotes edge up
Poor weather conditions over the weekend and in the early part of the week dampened both the supply and demand of stock at marts temporarily, but prices are holding firm with plenty of farmer demand still evident at mart rings.
The best farmer demand is for quality continental and Angus- and Hereford-cross stores. There is some improved export demand evident also.
The beef trade is impacting on the price of short-keep steers and heifers, with those over 600kg a little easier at some mart sales. The cull cow trade has improved slightly in the past few weeks. Numbers on offer are low and there is improved grass buyer demand.
Where fleshed continental cows are on offer, prices of €1.70/kg to €1.85/kg are available, with some young types breaching the €1.90/kg mark.
The majority of continental store cows are selling from €1.50/kg to €1.60/kg, with older and thin cows selling from €1.30/kg to €1.40/kg. Friesian cull cows are scarce and price is dependent on the level of flesh. Good-quality types are making over €1.40/kg, while thin cows suitable for grass are making €1.00/kg to €1.15/kg.
Steers
The numbers on offer has started to decrease, along with demand. While prices are steady, there are a greater proportion of plainer-quality steers passing through marts, which is affecting average prices. The average 550kg steer is selling from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg, with plainer types selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg. The best demand is for good-quality lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg, selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg and up to €2.50/kg and higher for U grades. Heavy bullocks over 600kg have seen prices ease slightly.
Heifers
The heifer trade has held quite firm. Heavy heifers are holding well despite beef price pressure. The average 600kg heifer is selling for twice the weight, with U grades from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg. Forward store heifers from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg for average-quality heifers and from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg for U grades. Like, bullocks farmer demand is for lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg suitable for grass. The average 450kg heifer is selling for €2.15/kg, with U grades making over €2.45/kg.
Weanlings
The weanling trade remains strong, with farmer and exporter demand placing a firm floor under the prices of stock. The average 350kg bull is selling for €784/head, with the equivalent heifer selling at similar prices. The top third of weanling bulls in the same weight range are selling from €2.60/kg to €2.70/kg, with heifers just marginally behind this on a price-per-kilo basis. The average 250kg bull is selling for €2.37/kg, with heifers selling for just 3c/kg less than the equivalent bull. Heavy bulls are a much easier trade than the same week last year.
Read more
Camera at the mart: farmer activity improved for all types of stores
Camera at the Mart: increased buying demand for cattle at Downpatrick
Friesian calf prices strengthen at Tralee Mart
Camera at the Mart: good entry of quality spring lambs
Northern View: positive signs as beef quotes edge up
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