As the 2022 grazing season comes to an abrupt halt in many parts of the country and trade starts to come under a little pressure, farmer buyers are doubling down on quality as the price gap between the top and bottom third of cattle increases.

The sweet spot still seems to be from 320kg to 350kg for both bull and heifer weanlings, with the best price per kilo commanded in this weight range.

The talk ringside is that while many farmers are pulling back on the overall number of stock that they are buying for the winter, what they do buy is going to be good quality.

Weanling prices

This week, the MartBids Database shows bull weanling prices slipping slightly on last week, but still remain in good territory.

Speaking to some mart managers this week, there were comments around the quality of weanlings coming out starting to drop slightly in recent days, which could be some of the reason for this drop.

With higher wintering costs, some farmers who would usually hold on to weanlings until spring are opting to offload at least some in order to reduce the cost burden.

However, it is important that whatever stock are being lined up for sale in the coming weeks have been properly prepared for sale, as not doing so can have a significant effect on the price paid.

This is reflected in the database, with lighter and poorer-quality weanlings suffering the biggest price reduction on the week.

Purchasing for live exports continues, with many buyers competing primarily for second grade but still decent quality weanlings around the 330kg to 350kg mark.

Heifers

Breeding sales are in full swing and they have boosted the overall averages significantly this week in the MartBids analysis.

Aside from breeding females, short-keep and factory-fit heifers are in short supply in marts and what is currently coming through the ring is being hotly contested, with €2.70/kg and above available for quality lots.

Bullocks

Having been up quite significantly last week, steer prices have eased somewhat this week, which sees the average price for a 500kg to 600kg bullock at €2.46/kg, back just 1c/kg on last week.

If we compare this price to the same week last year, prices are running 29c/kg or €160/head above the same time last year for a 550kg bullock.

At lighter weights, the price differential is smaller, running just 7c/kg ahead of the same point last year, as farmers remain a little cagier around cattle that bit further from slaughter.

Dry cows

Dry cow prices are also under some pressure in recent days, with the weather playing a role in greater numbers being brought to the mart.

As well as this, some factories are now starting to focus on the Christmas kill and will be prioritising prime beef numbers in the coming weeks with this in mind.