MartBids Database: numbers back 20% on the week

As we progress through November, we see the gradual decline in numbers through the mart gate.

This was particularly evident this week, with Martbids data showing a 20% reduction from last week.

Much of this is down to a large reduction in the number of weanlings being offered for sale. However, mart managers are also reporting that store numbers are reducing heavily also.

Prices for stores were particularly strong in recent months, so many sellers offloaded stock before they normally would.

As we are coming into peak period for cull cows coming straight from the parlour, this offsets the deficit somewhat.

Factory increase

Factory gate prices for heifers generally increased by 5c to 10c/kg this week, in what is the first move in a number of weeks.

This increase means that factory agents have been more active in their search for fit heifers and are willing to pay the increase for it.

Overall, heifers of 600kg-plus rose by 4c/kg on the week to break back over the €2/kg mark. While steer factory price remains unchanged in most plants, the bullock trade at the mart has seen the benefit of the heifers and are also seeing a rise of around 5c/kg on the week.

This increase means that steers of 600kg-plus averaged €2.03/kg.

Cull cows

As mentioned, cull cows are nearing peak mart throughput. As older or lower producing cows end their lactation, farmers are keen to offload them as to not carry any extra followers over the winter months.

Due to this, factory prices for cows have dropped week on week over the past month or so. However, prices now seem to have stabilised.

This change has not filtered down to mart level yet, as the average price remains unchanged on the week at €1.37/kg.

The better-quality lots actually saw a drop in price of 13c/kg to €1.71/kg. The bottom end of cattle rose by 6c/kg to settle at just under €1/kg.

Some mart managers say that they expect more cows in December given the factory price was continuing to drop, so, as price increases, we might start to see more cattle in better condition go through marts.

Strong sucklers

Suckler cows and springers remain an incredibly strong trade across the country.

The strong weanling prices being achieved over the past few months has given a renewed confidence in the beef sector and farmers are willing to reinvest some of that weanling income into good-quality cattle.

The top third of springers this week averaged an impressive €3.18/kg, while the upper end of suckler cow lots came in at over €1,600.

Reduction in quality

Due to the strong prices for weanlings early in the season, a lot of the better-quality stock was offloaded early.

Marts are reporting that, as the weeks progress, the quality of weanling stock forward is starting to reduce.

Smaller numbers and the reduction in quality is leading to less buyers logging on to bid, but buyers remain happy with the prices achieved.

In general, weanlings dropped by up to 10c/kg on the week across bulls and heifers.

The only weanling type avoiding this decrease was the heavier weanling heifers. However, numbers of these would be very small.

Overall, weanling heifers hit €2.20/kg on average, with bulls about 5c/kg higher.

Again, the lighter stock proved in more demand, with over €3/kg achieved for the right type.

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