Limousin and Charolais make up 75% of weanling mart sales

Weanling throughput is dominated by continental stock, with 75% of all weanlings sold in 2021 sired by either a Limousin or Charolais bull, Irish Farmers Journal analysis of MartBids data shows.

Charolais bulls represented 37% of weanling throughput, with Limousins representing 38%.

These breeds generally had the highest average price per kilogram, with the Belgian Blue breed also highly ranked, however on much smaller numbers.

It was the Charolais breed that took top spot again across three of the main weanling categories, with Belgian Blue taking top spot in the other three categories.

The most common weight bracket for weanlings is 300-400kg and the average Charoalais bull weanling sold for €2.67/kg in 2021, up from €2.52/kg in 2020.

In the 300-400kg heifer category, it was the Belgian Blue breed that came out on top with the average 300-400kg Belgian Blue heifer hitting €2.72/kg, up 15c/kg on the 2020 price.

Hereford heifers in the 400-450kg category saw the largest rise, selling for €1.96/kg up 35c/kg on the 2020 price.

Angus- and Hereford-sired cattle generally recorded the highest increases across the weight divisions

While the biggest throughput was continental breeds, the most significant increase in prices was for the traditional breeds.

Angus- and Hereford-sired cattle generally recorded the highest increases across the weight divisions, not just over the past 12 months, but indeed the last three years. Many of these are first-cross dairy beef stock, which saw prices rise by €50 to €80 a head for a 300kg animal.

As highlighted in last week’s Irish Farmers Journal, prices in marts for 2021 were up significantly on 2020 levels. The data shows that the average price for a 350kg weanling animal was €882.

This is €50/head better than 2020 and €70/head higher than 2019 levels.