Mart managers are reporting a strong and steady start to the trade in 2020.

With only a handful of marts back in action so far, it is difficult to give a definitive trend in terms of prices. However, mart managers are so far happy with prices paid in the last few days.

In the west of the country and midlands, only small numbers of cattle have been traded through marts in the past week.

That is having an effect on MartWatch averages, as the quality of cattle contained in the figures is not quite as high as it would normally be, thus accounting for the low averages.

In the south of the country, cull cow numbers are starting to increase once again and demand is strong

It will be another week or so before there are adequate numbers passing through marts to give a true reflection of the trade.

In the south of the country, cull cow numbers are starting to increase once again and demand is strong.

Farmers and feeders are active in the market and the initial signs are that prices are running ahead of where they were before the Christmas break.

Steers

Where continental bullocks over 600kg are on offer, prices are similar to before Christmas, with the majority of demand for in-spec cattle.

Bullocks from 500kg to 600kg are being met with steady demand

However, with factory backlogs disappearing, some agents seem to be less choosey at marts and are paying more for out-of-spec and aged cattle.

Bullocks from 500kg to 600kg are being met with steady demand. Continentals are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg and up to €2.25/kg at some sales.

Light store bullocks are quite steady also, with a little bit more bite for good-quality types.

Heifers

Store heifer prices are running slightly higher than the equivalent bullock due to less dairy influence.

The best demand is for continentals

Heifers over 500kg are selling from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg depending on quality, with some top-quality types making over €2.30/kg.

The best demand is for continentals, but Angus and Herefords had seen a strengthening in price in December, which has remained in the first week of sales this year.

Light store heifers from 400kg to 500kg are making just over €2.00/kg for average-quality types, with U grades over €2.30/kg at some sales.

Weanlings

The number of weanling bulls and heifers on offer in the past week has been very small.

MartWatch figures show weanling prices to be well behind the same time last year

Where they have been on offer, a high proportion of them have been from a dairy background, which adversely affects prices.

For that reason, MartWatch figures show weanling prices to be well behind the same time last year, but these prices will not be a true reflection of the trade until numbers increase.

Where continentals have been on offer, prices are on par if not slightly ahead of the trade before the Christmas break.

Read more

Camera at the Mart: cull cow trade well improved at Fermoy Mart

Camera at the Mart: quality cattle and cull cows in demand at Ballyjamesduff

Camera at the Mart: butchers' and factory lambs up €5 to €6/head

Camera at the Mart: sharp trade for dairy stock at Kilrea Mart

NI trends: beef trade holding firm; hogget prices rising