Farmer demand for stores and weanlings has lifted in the past week.
Mart managers across the country have said that buyer activity is well improved, but mainly for better-quality R and U grade continentals.
Where dairy-cross cattle, and in particular Friesian bullocks, are on offer, they are being met with continued variable demand and weaker prices compared with the same time last year.
This is having the effect of reducing average prices in the MartWatch system.
Despite beef price pressure, farmer and feeder demand for short-keep stores is still very high, but, like lighter cattle, it is mainly centred on better-quality continental types.
Having said that, there are reports that Angus- and Hereford-cross stores are being met with improved demand also, but prices are steady, with no major increase being seen in these types so far.
The cull cow trade has seen feeding and store cows a little easier than previous weeks, but demand for cows carrying flesh is still quite firm.
Steers
There is strong demand and prices where quality short-keep bullocks are on offer. The average R grade 600kg continental is selling from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg, with some top-quality types as high as €2.25/kg. Forward stores from 500kg to 600kg are a firm trade also, but, in some places where there are a lot of Friesians coming to the fore, prices are poor, with most Friesians selling for about €1.50/kg to €1.65/kg. Farmer demand for lighter store bullocks from 400kg to 500kg has improved, with the most demand for R and U grade continentals.
Heifers
Fleshed and short-keep heifers are selling on par with the same time last year. Again, the main demand is for better-quality types, with dairy-cross heifers selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg. The average 650kg heifer is making €1,360, which is slightly higher than the same time last year. The average 550kg heifer is selling for €1,160, while the top third are making €1,200 to €1,350/head. Farmers are more active for lighter store heifers, but only for better-quality continental types, with light dairy-cross heifers similar to last week.
Weanlings
Better-quality continental weanlings are an improved trade, with more farmer buyers actively sourcing cattle than in previous weeks. While average prices are still running 10c to 12c/kg behind the same time last year, reports from stronger suckler areas show that better-quality weanling bulls are on par with the same time last year and, in some special sales edging ahead. In contrast, where light dairy-cross weanlings are on offer, demand is still poor. Although easier sold than previous weeks, prices are steady. Heifers have seen an improvement..
Read more
Camera at the mart: brisk trade for quality forward cattle at Tuam
Camera at the mart: strong demand for all good cattle
Camera at the mart: much-improved trade at Kanturk
Super start to calf sales at Kilrea Mart
Northern view: cattle price steady as supplies build
Farmer demand for stores and weanlings has lifted in the past week.
Mart managers across the country have said that buyer activity is well improved, but mainly for better-quality R and U grade continentals.
Where dairy-cross cattle, and in particular Friesian bullocks, are on offer, they are being met with continued variable demand and weaker prices compared with the same time last year.
This is having the effect of reducing average prices in the MartWatch system.
Despite beef price pressure, farmer and feeder demand for short-keep stores is still very high, but, like lighter cattle, it is mainly centred on better-quality continental types.
Having said that, there are reports that Angus- and Hereford-cross stores are being met with improved demand also, but prices are steady, with no major increase being seen in these types so far.
The cull cow trade has seen feeding and store cows a little easier than previous weeks, but demand for cows carrying flesh is still quite firm.
Steers
There is strong demand and prices where quality short-keep bullocks are on offer. The average R grade 600kg continental is selling from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg, with some top-quality types as high as €2.25/kg. Forward stores from 500kg to 600kg are a firm trade also, but, in some places where there are a lot of Friesians coming to the fore, prices are poor, with most Friesians selling for about €1.50/kg to €1.65/kg. Farmer demand for lighter store bullocks from 400kg to 500kg has improved, with the most demand for R and U grade continentals.
Heifers
Fleshed and short-keep heifers are selling on par with the same time last year. Again, the main demand is for better-quality types, with dairy-cross heifers selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg. The average 650kg heifer is making €1,360, which is slightly higher than the same time last year. The average 550kg heifer is selling for €1,160, while the top third are making €1,200 to €1,350/head. Farmers are more active for lighter store heifers, but only for better-quality continental types, with light dairy-cross heifers similar to last week.
Weanlings
Better-quality continental weanlings are an improved trade, with more farmer buyers actively sourcing cattle than in previous weeks. While average prices are still running 10c to 12c/kg behind the same time last year, reports from stronger suckler areas show that better-quality weanling bulls are on par with the same time last year and, in some special sales edging ahead. In contrast, where light dairy-cross weanlings are on offer, demand is still poor. Although easier sold than previous weeks, prices are steady. Heifers have seen an improvement..
Read more
Camera at the mart: brisk trade for quality forward cattle at Tuam
Camera at the mart: strong demand for all good cattle
Camera at the mart: much-improved trade at Kanturk
Super start to calf sales at Kilrea Mart
Northern view: cattle price steady as supplies build
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