Good quality weanlings continue to be a steady trade around the country with strong demand experienced at special sales. Exporters continue to put a firm price floor under prices which is positive for weanling producers.

In suckler areas, average quality weanling bulls over 300kg continue to sell from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg with the top third in terms of quality making from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg. Well muscled U+ and E grade bulls continue to be met with firm demand and prices of €2.70/kg to €3.00/kg are achievable.

Lighter types continue to be in low supply and prices are firm also. Average quality bulls from 200kg to 300kg are selling from €2.30/kg to €2.60/kg on average. Weanling heifers have been met with strong demand and increased availability is seeing prices steady.

Heifers from 300kg to 400kg are averaging at €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg in areas where good quality continentals are on offer. Better quality U grades are making €2.50/kg to €2.70/kg. Store cattle remain firm with the majority of demand for good quality lots.

Animals with age against them continue to be more difficult to sell. Overage types or cattle that will not finish underage are seeing price penalties of up to €100 per head. Quality continentals from 500kg to 600kg are solid and are selling mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.10/kg, where better quality stores are on offer prices of €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg are more common.

Numbers of heavy types remain low across the country with the main supply of heifers from 400kg to 500kg. These types are selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg on average with U grade types making from €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg on average. Lesser quality types are making from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg.