Weanlings continue to soar in price with records broken in marts nationwide over the last seven days.

A combination of live exporters, factory-aligned feedlots and grass buyers are driving the trade with some exceptional prices being paid for top-quality weanlings.

">MartBids data this week shows spring 2022-born calves in the top-quality 300kg to 400kg bracket hitting €3.53/kg, or €1,341/head, for a 380kg weanling.

That equates to 56c/kg or over €200/head higher than the same week in 2022.

If this animal was destined for a 24-month finish, it would require over €6/kg to break even in February 2024.

Stephen Hannon, general manager of Aurivo Marts, told the Irish Farmers Journal: “There’s a ferocious appetite for weanlings out there at the moment, with the high end of the market being driven by feedlot finishers. We thought the trade peaked at €3/kg but it’s heading for €4/kg now.”