Mart managers have said that, in the past week, the trade has held firm where cattle quality is good. However, in some areas, increased supplies of Friesian, Angus and Hereford cattle are having a negative effect on the MartWatch tables.
These dairy crosses, unlike continental cattle, are being met with a little less demand. That said, there continues to be plenty of buyers for these, but at prices of 10c to 15c/kg or €50 to €75/head less than the same time last year.
In contrast, where continental cattle, and in particular Charolais, are on offer, demand for these is very strong and prices are on a par with last year.
The weanling trade is steady in the main, but there is a little more pressure on the prices of plainer and lighter types. With low exporter activity, we are in a slightly different playing field to where we were this time last year, when exporters were underpinning the trade for all lighter weanlings. At this stage, the trade is primarily being driven by farmer demand.
Steers
While MartWatch data shows prices to have dropped, the trade for good-quality continentals is firm. Plainer types and out of spec stock are a more variable trade and where large sales are taking place, prices are affected. Good-quality heavy continental bullocks over 600kg are still being met with strong demand. Prices for these range mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg and up to €2.35/kg for U grades. Lighter stores from 500kg to 600kg are steady also, but prices of those from 400kg to 500kg are under a little more pressure.
Heifers
Heifers are a little brighter, with less dairy-crosses influencing the trade. Heavy heifers are a strong trade, with prices of top-quality types ranging from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg. Those from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.10/kg or from €1,100 to €1,200/head. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg, like bullocks, have been met with a little less demand and prices in some areas have been variable as a result.
Weanlings
Farmer demand continues to drive the weanling trade. Feeder buyers are still sourcing heavy bulls, with the main focus on good-quality R+ and U grades. Those from 300kg to 400kg are a steady trade and are selling mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg, with the top third making over €2.60/kg to €2.70/kg. Light bulls and heifers have seen prices ease, with less demand for plainer types. The main demand for weanling heifers is for good-quality 300kg to 400kg types and prices range from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg for all good types.
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