Farmer demand drives strong weanling trade

Prices for weanlings at autumn sales are up by €50 to €80/head depending on quality, an analysis of the Irish Farmers Journal MartBids database shows.

With farmers driving demand, bull weanlings in the 300kg to 400kg category are up €87/head (€0.25/kg) compared to 2019 prices, with heifer weanlings in the same category up €108/head (€0.31/kg).

Analysis of throughput indicates that supplies of weanlings are likely to remain tight into the autumn – largely reflecting higher than normal sales in July and August.

Store cattle are also a strong trade with forward store heifers in demand.

Good continental heifers around 600kg were making €900

Elphin Mart had over 700 heifers through the ring on Wednesday with great demand from northern customers, mart manager Gerry Connellan told the Irish Farmers Journal.

“Good continental heifers around 600kg were making €900 with the weight and we have a couple of loads heading north for direct slaughter from the sale. The return of the northern customer has given a great lift to the trade for forward stores and slaughter-fit cattle here,” Connellan said.

We are seeing a lot more activity in recent weeks from exporters buying for Turkey

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Stephen Hannon of Aurivo Marts, said that weanling sales are off to a flying start in the west. “We’re seeing very good confidence in the trade at the moment and both buyers and sellers seem to be happy with where the market is at.

“We are seeing a lot more activity in recent weeks from exporters buying for Turkey.

“They are putting a floor under that lighter plainer weanling from 250kg to 350kg and that’s important,” he said.