Although sale numbers have likely peaked in the last week or so, throughput in marts remains strong, with the weather having an effect on the amount of stock being offered in recent weeks.

Comparing the last three weeks to the same period in 2021, throughput is up almost 19% year on year, such is the effect the poor weather has had on ending the grazing season so abruptly.

Despite this increase, the trade remains positive overall, although some slippage in prices has been seen over the last seven days.

Looking at the MartBids database, weanlings were most affected by this price slip, back around €20/head to €25/head on last week.

However, the general trend at this time of year is for weanling prices to reduce slightly, as, in many cases, the best weanlings have already been sold, meaning the overall average price is likely to take a hit.

The average price of a 300kg to 400kg bull weanling still sits at €2.68/kg or €938 for a 350kg animal, while the top third are still commanding €3.07/kg, putting a 350kg bull into €1,075/head.

Weanling heifers are that bit back, with the average 300kg heifer making €750/head (€2.50/kg), while the top third are making €864/head on average.

Steers

The trade in the bullock ring remains strong, although there was some downward pressure in the past week.

It sees the average price for a 500kg to 600kg bullock sit at €2.42/kg or €1,331/head for a 550kg animal, while the top third of stock are commanding €2.80/kg, putting the same weight animal into €1,540/head.

At the bottom end of the market, plainer suckler-bred stock and some dairy-beef types are trading at €2.04/kg.

Steers at heavier weights are also back this week across all quality types, back 7c/kg on average.

There is a huge contrast in prices between the top and bottom third of bullocks in the 400kg to 500kg weight band, with a 92c/kg gap between the two.

This is down to good farmer demand for nice-quality suckler-bred stock that will be fit for grazing next year, while for dairy and dairy-beef types, buyers prefer them closer to the finish line before purchase, meaning weight really pays for these stock types.

Heifers

Heifer prices have not seen the same easing as bullock prices, but breeding sales are likely to have had some effect on the overall averages at heavier weights.

However, the average price of a 500kg to 600kg heifer remains strong, sitting at €2.48/kg this week, up 1c/kg on the previous seven days, which would put a 550kg heifer into €1,364/head, while those in the top third are making €1,545/head (€2.81/kg).

Store heifers from 400kg to 500kg averaged €2.32/kg this week, which is in line with trade over the past number of weeks for this stock class.

Again, the price differential between the top and bottom in terms of quality is stark within this weight range, sitting at 70c/kg for a 450kg heifer.