It’s been a positive start to the weanling trade, with prices up across the board at the opening sales around the country.

September and October are traditionally the busiest months for weanling sales with the majority of spring-born weanlings being sold in the next eight weeks.

Analysis of the Irish Farmers Journal MartBids database shows that weanlings are up by over €100/head in some weight and quality brackets in August 2022 compared with prices in August 2021.

The top third of weanling bulls in the 300-400kg bracket are up €112/head to €1,134/head on 12 months ago, while heavy bulls over 400kg are selling at €1,330/head, up €127/head on last year.

It’s a similar story for heifers, with the top third of 300-400kg heifers selling for €1,103/head, up €99/head on last year.

Interestingly, the gap is also widening between the bottom third and top third compared to 12 months ago.

There is a €290/head gap between the bottom third and top third of 300-400kg bull weanlings in August 2022 compared to a €245/head gap this time last year, up €45/head.

The gap is also up €60/head for heifers, with the top third of heifers in the 300-400kg bracket making €284/head more than the lower-quality weanlings, up from a gap of €224 this time last year.

Aurivo Marts in Balla, Co Mayo, had a big show and sale of weanlings this week, with some very big prices paid for top-end stock.

‘Good demand’

Manager Stephen Hannon said: “This was our first real test of the 2022 trade and we came through it fine with good demand for both bulls and heifers.

“We had a lot of customers for the high-quality weanlings, with €2,700 being one of the top prices paid for a 315kg January-born Belgian Blue heifer calf.”.