Camera at the Mart: farmer demand drives Dungarvan sale

There was close to a full clearance rate in Dungarvan Mart for the Co Waterford venue’s weanling show and sale on Thursday last.

Dairy-beef weanlings dominated the numbers and for the majority of them, €900 to €1,340 appeared to be the going rate for those weighing from 200kg to 280kg.

Once they got close to 300kg, more often than not prices close to or exceeding €1,500 were common place.

A standout lot was a bunch of 299kg Angus-crosses that made €1,560 (€5.22/kg).

Friesians were making around €4/kg and they topped out at €4.11/kg and, as a general rule, beef crosses and sucklers were making €5/kg to a top of €6.15/kg.

Manager Kevin Casey was happy with proceedings: “There was a lot of negative press about shippers not being at the ringside this week, but we definitely saw that it was the farmers that came out to fill that gap and it was the strongest trade we had for weanlings this year.

“There wasn’t an animal bought for export and farmers were willing to go far and ahead of what exporters were giving, so it didn’t impact the trade.

“Farmers are looking for large numbers of stock at the moment and they’re anxious for them.

“You have some who traditionally would have sold heavy cattle recently and are looking to restock.

BISS payment

“The BISS payment will be out soon too and it’s good to see the cost of the weanlings isn’t turning people away and they are buying on strong.

“Since the abolition of the quota, there has been a big transition down here to very large dairy herds.

“We get a good percentage of sucklers all the time, but most farmers hold on to them until they are a year and a half.”

Outside of weanlings, trade in west Waterford has been excellent this year.

“Trade is holding. Bullocks were up on the week before, with bullocks well up and heifers too. The fact numbers are tightening again is being shown at the ringside.

“Cull cows are just starting to come out, the good weather is probably holding them off, but there’s good demand there for them.

“I think we’re over the peak of the big sales at this stage, but it’s been a great year. The biggest change this year is the amount of heavy cattle we’re selling.

“Farmers have a bit more choice and control when they sell cattle in the ring and have taken that option more.

“TB seems to be the only negative. It’s becoming a big problem and it’s putting undue pressure on farmers when they get locked up with cattle to sell.”