Over the end of last week and the weekend, numbers in marts have been quite strong, as has demand.
However, with a flurry of field activity and the onset of silage season in most areas of the country, the numbers on offer in sales earlier this week have dropped off, particularly in the south.
With lower numbers on offer, this has actually improved the trade in certain areas, as buyers have to battle harder for the numbers on offer.
There has been a slight fall-off in the quality of stock on offer in the midlands and west, as a greater proportion of plainer-quality animals are on offer in the marketplace.
This is affecting average prices in MartWatch. However, the average prices paid for better-quality continental cattle are similar to last week.
The cow trade is firm, with a little more bite in the market for feeding cows, with a glimpse of improving beef prices.
Most warm feeding Friesian cows are now selling from €1.30/kg to €1.50/kg, depending on quality, with continentals making from €1.60/kg to €1.75/kg for feeding types.
Steers
Store bullocks are being met with firm demand and prices are steady, with the average 550kg bullock selling for €2.10/kg or €1,155/head. Where better-quality types are on offer, prices of €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg are more common. Lighter store bullocks have held firm also, with prices ranging mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality O+ and R grades, while U grades are making €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg or from €1,100 to €1,200/head. Plainer-quality O grades are selling from €1.80/kg to €2.00/kg.
Heifers
Similar to bullocks, prices are on par with last week. Heavy heifers are being met with more feeder demand. Those over 600kg are selling from €2.10/kg for €2.20/kg, with better-quality heavy heifers selling to over €2.35/kg. Forward stores are being met with strong farmer and feeder demand. Prices range from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality heifers, with U grades from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg. Light stores from 400kg to 500kg are steady also, at €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for O+ and R grades, while U grades are up to €2.65/kg.
Weanlings
There have been more plainer-quality dairy-cross weanlings on offer, which is suppressing prices in the MartWatch system, but where quality continentals are on offer, the trade is strong. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality types, while the tops are selling for over €3.00/kg. Heifers in the same weight range are a lively trade where good-quality types are on offer. Prices are a little stronger than bulls and are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.35/kg for average-quality types.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: lower numbers and increased demand
Camera at the Mart: strong demand for dairy stock at Ballyjamesduff
Camera at the Mart: slightly improved factory agent activity at Tuam
Camera at the Mart: solid trade at Moree Holsteins dispersal sale
Northern View: cattle quotes holding steady
Over the end of last week and the weekend, numbers in marts have been quite strong, as has demand.
However, with a flurry of field activity and the onset of silage season in most areas of the country, the numbers on offer in sales earlier this week have dropped off, particularly in the south.
With lower numbers on offer, this has actually improved the trade in certain areas, as buyers have to battle harder for the numbers on offer.
There has been a slight fall-off in the quality of stock on offer in the midlands and west, as a greater proportion of plainer-quality animals are on offer in the marketplace.
This is affecting average prices in MartWatch. However, the average prices paid for better-quality continental cattle are similar to last week.
The cow trade is firm, with a little more bite in the market for feeding cows, with a glimpse of improving beef prices.
Most warm feeding Friesian cows are now selling from €1.30/kg to €1.50/kg, depending on quality, with continentals making from €1.60/kg to €1.75/kg for feeding types.
Steers
Store bullocks are being met with firm demand and prices are steady, with the average 550kg bullock selling for €2.10/kg or €1,155/head. Where better-quality types are on offer, prices of €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg are more common. Lighter store bullocks have held firm also, with prices ranging mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality O+ and R grades, while U grades are making €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg or from €1,100 to €1,200/head. Plainer-quality O grades are selling from €1.80/kg to €2.00/kg.
Heifers
Similar to bullocks, prices are on par with last week. Heavy heifers are being met with more feeder demand. Those over 600kg are selling from €2.10/kg for €2.20/kg, with better-quality heavy heifers selling to over €2.35/kg. Forward stores are being met with strong farmer and feeder demand. Prices range from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality heifers, with U grades from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg. Light stores from 400kg to 500kg are steady also, at €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for O+ and R grades, while U grades are up to €2.65/kg.
Weanlings
There have been more plainer-quality dairy-cross weanlings on offer, which is suppressing prices in the MartWatch system, but where quality continentals are on offer, the trade is strong. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality types, while the tops are selling for over €3.00/kg. Heifers in the same weight range are a lively trade where good-quality types are on offer. Prices are a little stronger than bulls and are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.35/kg for average-quality types.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: lower numbers and increased demand
Camera at the Mart: strong demand for dairy stock at Ballyjamesduff
Camera at the Mart: slightly improved factory agent activity at Tuam
Camera at the Mart: solid trade at Moree Holsteins dispersal sale
Northern View: cattle quotes holding steady
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: