The past week has seen another reasonably steady trade for all good-quality stores and weanlings. Sales have been smaller, with very few forward stores now on offer.
Lighter store are still being met with firm farmer demand, with agents still sourcing numbers for farmers.
One unique trend has been continued large entries of cull cows on offer in suckler areas, with numbers not falling back in line with general cattle entries. Suckler outfits with calves at foot continue to be a solid trade also, despite being late in the year.
Good-quality young types are making from €1,500 to €1,800 in most areas, with plain older cows making from €1,000 to €1,300.
The weanling trade continues to be firm in most areas, with exporters and farmers placing a firm floor under prices of average to plainer types.
In southern areas, higher entries of Friesian runners and weanlings are being met with variable demand.
Steers
Short-keep steers over 600kg where available are a strong trade, with R grades making €750 to €800 over the weight, with U grades making €800 to €850 over. Martwatch prices for 500kg to 600kg steers has eased due to a reduction in the quality of steers on offer. Plainer types are making from €1.80/kg to €2.00/kg, with Friesians selling from €1.50/kg to €1.80/kg depending on quality. Light stores from 400kg to 500kg are a firm trade. Prices range from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg or from €480 to €650 over the weight.
Heifers
Heifers over 600kg are few and far between. Those from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg for average-quality types, while Angus and Herefords with a dairy background are making from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are selling mainly from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg or €1,060 for the average 450kg heifer. U grade heifers are making from €650 to €750 along with the weight. Again, in dairy areas, plainer cattle are being met with weaker prices of €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg.
Weanlings
Forward bulls over 400kg are still in demand, with prices of €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg being paid by feeders. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg are being held firm by solid farmer demand, which is decreasing in line with numbers. The average 350kg bull is selling for €830/head, with top-quality types making over €1,000/head. Where Friesian runners are on offer in the south, prices of €1.50/kg to €1.70/kg are common. Exporters are still active for light plain bulls, while the heifer trade continues to be dominated by firm farmer demand.
Cattle prices: forward store up and numbers back
Quality light store prices holding firm at Ballinasloe Mart
Trade holding firm at Ballymena Mart