While the mart scene has been steady again in the past week, mart managers have commented that the numbers of forward store cattle, particularly in the south and east, are now in short supply.

In the west, smaller numbers of forward stores are present also and feeders continue to be active. In the south, cull dairy cows numbers continue to lift as farmers dry off. Feeding and fleshed cows have remained firm, with more factory agent activity for fleshed types in some areas.

Good-quality light store bullocks and heifers remain firm. However, the quality of store cattle on offer has decreased slightly recently.

Farmer demand for weanlings has been firm also, but shipper activity has fallen off in most areas. Despite this, farmer activity is holding prices firm.

Steers

Forward and short-keep stores remain in tight supply and where top-quality types are on offer, prices are firm. Those over 600kg are selling from €2.00/kg for R grades and up to €2.20/kg for good-quality U grades. Those from 500kg to 600kg remain a steady trade, with prices averaging from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg. U grades are making up to €2.40/kg in some areas, while Angus and Herefords are making from €1.80/kg to €1.95/kg, depending on quality.

Heifers

Forward and short-keep heifers remain in tight supply also and demand is firm. Where good-quality types are on offer, prices have improved slightly. The average 600kg heifer is making €1,100 to €1,200. Stores from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg, with U grades making up to €2.36/kg. Light stores around 400kg continue to be a firm trade and are selling from €800 to €900 for average-quality types, with the top third making over €1,000/head.

Weanlings

There has been a reduction in the activity of light weanlings in the past week. Another feature has been a further reduction or variability in the quality of weanlings on offer in most areas. Demand for forward bulls is mixed and prices of €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg for R grades are common. The average 350kg bull is making €770, but in stronger suckler areas, prices of €800 to €850 are more common. The average 300kg heifer is making €650 to €720.

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Cattle prices: lower numbers of forward stores on offer at marts

While the mart scene has been steady again in the past week, mart managers have commented that the numbers of forward store cattle, particularly in the south and east, are now in short supply.