Tuesday’s announcement of mart closures caught mart managers and farmers by surprise.
Marts underwent significant changes recently to ensure that both farmers and staff were operating in a safe environment.
While this did take a lot of extra man power, mart managers were confident that they would be able to keep trading safely prior to the ordered closure.
With large numbers of cattle and calves yet to be traded before the summer lull, mart managers are now looking at what other arrangements can be put in place to provide a service to both sellers and buyers.
In terms of the trade, with less people around ringsides, this did affect the atmosphere at sales and also impacted slightly on the trade, but more so for the plainer-quality cattle. The majority of continental cattle have been a strong and steady trade, with a little easier trade for cows and traditional breed cattle.
Steers
The bullock trade has seen a slight improvement on last week, but only at certain sales. Sales early this week showed some signs of a more lifeless trade. Continental cattle remain firm right across the country, but there are reports of plainer-quality stores being met with an easier trade. Bullocks over 600kg sold for €1.95/kg on average, with U grades making €2.25/kg and over €2.30/kg in stronger suckler areas. Stores from 400kg to 500kg sold for €2.10/kg on average, with prices over €2.30/kg on offer in some areas.
Heifers
The heifer trade has been steady, with little or no change on the previous week. However, in some areas, there have been some reports of a slightly slower trade for some plainer heifers. Those over 500kg sold for €2.05/kg on average, which is on par with the same time last year. The top third in the same weight range sold from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg for continentals. Lighter heifers from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg and up to €2.50/kg in some areas for U grade continentals.
Weanlings
With greater numbers of plainer-quality weanlings on offer, prices have eased slightly. The trade for R and U grade continentals is firm, with prices from €2.20/kg to €2.50/kg for average-quality lots and the top third from €2.60/kg to €2.90/kg and to over €3.00/kg for the best quality lots. Weanling heifers have been a little easier, particularly plainer types, selling mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg and up to €2.80/kg for top quality. Lighter types from 200kg to 300kg have seen prices and demand ease for plainer heifers.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: continental cattle steady but Angus stores a little easier
Camera at the Mart: good clearance of heifers in Carrigallen
Camera at the Mart: Friesians up €10 to €20/head in Kilkenny
NI trends: cattle quotes holding under pressure; hogget prices falling
Tuesday’s announcement of mart closures caught mart managers and farmers by surprise.
Marts underwent significant changes recently to ensure that both farmers and staff were operating in a safe environment.
While this did take a lot of extra man power, mart managers were confident that they would be able to keep trading safely prior to the ordered closure.
With large numbers of cattle and calves yet to be traded before the summer lull, mart managers are now looking at what other arrangements can be put in place to provide a service to both sellers and buyers.
In terms of the trade, with less people around ringsides, this did affect the atmosphere at sales and also impacted slightly on the trade, but more so for the plainer-quality cattle. The majority of continental cattle have been a strong and steady trade, with a little easier trade for cows and traditional breed cattle.
Steers
The bullock trade has seen a slight improvement on last week, but only at certain sales. Sales early this week showed some signs of a more lifeless trade. Continental cattle remain firm right across the country, but there are reports of plainer-quality stores being met with an easier trade. Bullocks over 600kg sold for €1.95/kg on average, with U grades making €2.25/kg and over €2.30/kg in stronger suckler areas. Stores from 400kg to 500kg sold for €2.10/kg on average, with prices over €2.30/kg on offer in some areas.
Heifers
The heifer trade has been steady, with little or no change on the previous week. However, in some areas, there have been some reports of a slightly slower trade for some plainer heifers. Those over 500kg sold for €2.05/kg on average, which is on par with the same time last year. The top third in the same weight range sold from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg for continentals. Lighter heifers from 400kg to 500kg sold mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg and up to €2.50/kg in some areas for U grade continentals.
Weanlings
With greater numbers of plainer-quality weanlings on offer, prices have eased slightly. The trade for R and U grade continentals is firm, with prices from €2.20/kg to €2.50/kg for average-quality lots and the top third from €2.60/kg to €2.90/kg and to over €3.00/kg for the best quality lots. Weanling heifers have been a little easier, particularly plainer types, selling mainly from €2.20/kg to €2.40/kg and up to €2.80/kg for top quality. Lighter types from 200kg to 300kg have seen prices and demand ease for plainer heifers.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: continental cattle steady but Angus stores a little easier
Camera at the Mart: good clearance of heifers in Carrigallen
Camera at the Mart: Friesians up €10 to €20/head in Kilkenny
NI trends: cattle quotes holding under pressure; hogget prices falling
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