Last year will go down as a good year for suckling to weaning producers, with weanling sales holding up well over the last 12 months.

Price increases were seen across all categories of weanlings, with continental weanlings making the biggest gains.

There are some who would argue that given how costs of production have risen, further price increases should have been seen.

Limousins accounted for almost 39% of weanling sales, with Charolais following close behind on just over 35%.

The Aberdeen Angus breed took third spot with just under 9%, while Hereford and Friesians made up the top five breeds. Almost three-quarters of 2022 weanling sales were dominated by Limousin and Charolais genetics.

A vibrant live export trade led to positivity around weanling rings, which carried through to some of the last sales of 2022 and the good demand is expected to carry into 2023.

Ireland has exported just under 35,000 weanlings in 2022 - an almost doubling of the 18,000 weanlings exported in 2021. Turkey, Spain, Italy and Northern Ireland have been some of the most important markets.

One of the largest shiploads of weanlings ever to leave Irish shores departed Greenore Port just before Christmas. The boat docked in Turkey on 3 January and further shipments are expected to depart in the first quarter of 2023.

Belgian Blues, Charolais and Limousin dominated the top three spots on a price-per-kg basis in most weight and quality categories in 2022.

During the year, we have seen some larger feeders move back to continental genetics based on weight performance and kill-out percentages at slaughter.

For this week’s analysis, the top third of animals were taken to analyse the figures.

Starting off with the lightest weanling heifer category (200kg to 300kg), it was the Belgian Blue breed that came out on top at €3.46/kg for the top third of animals in this weight category. That means a 300kg Belgian Blue heifer was selling for €1,038/head.

Following close behind were Limousin heifers at €3.26/kg, with Charolais heifers in third spot at €3.22/kg.

The highest number of weanlings traded are in the 300kg to 400kg weight category.

It was the Belgian Blue breed that was well out in front in the heifer rings here again. The top third of Belgian Blue heifers sold for €3.49/kg; a similar price as the lighter heifers.

The Limousin breed was again in second position at €3.13/kg, with Charolais heifers coming in at €3.09/kg.

In the heavier weanling heifer section, the Belgian Blues completed a one-two-three, with Belgian Blue heifers over 450kg coming at a top price of €3.52/kg – a full 49c/kg ahead of their nearest challenger the Limousin breed at €3.03/kg, with Charolais heifers following closely behind at €3.00/kg.

A 500kg Belgian Blue heifer was selling for €1,760 in 2022.

The most improved price badge went to heavy Limosuin heifers in the 450kg+ category, which improved by 35c/kg in 2022.

The Simmental breed was the most improved in the lighter 200kg to 300kg category with a 25c/kg improvement.

Bulls

Moving to the bull weanling rings, it was a similar breed picture, with continental weanlings driving prices. In the light 200kg to 300kg category, it was the Charolais breed that came out on top at €3.47/kg.

This was followed by Belgian Blue weanlings coming in at €3.23/kg, following by Limousin bulls at €3.13/kg.

In the biggest category – the 300kg to 400kg bull weanling – the Belgian Blue breed was in pole position at €3.42/kg, with Charolais following close behind at €3.30/kg.

In the heaviest bull category, it was a similar story, with Belgian Blue bulls up at €3.43/kg, followed by Charolais at €3.12/kg.

It was a tie for the most improved category, with 300kg to 400kg Belgian Blue weanlings and 450kg+ Belgian Blue weanlings both recording a 36c/kg increase in 2022. The top third of Belgian Blue bulls in the 300kg to 400kg category improved by €126/head, for an average of €1,197/head in 2022.