Mart managers are reporting low throughputs of cattle right across the country, as we enter the seasonal low of sales.
With low numbers on offer and variable demand, the trade is a little unsettled.
While mart managers are reporting quite good demand for better quality cattle, the main demand is for lighter stores, with short-keep bullocks and heifers being met with weaker demand once again on account of the beef trade.
Heavy weanling bulls are being met with weak demand also, as demand from specialist finishers is not as strong as it was.
This has resulted in little difference between the prices paid for heavy feeding bulls over 450kg and top-quality weanlings under 400kg.
Calf sales are said to be holding firm, with the majority of continental calves six to eight weeks old selling from €300 to €400/head.
Where weaned Angus and Hereford calves are on offer in marts and through farm-to-farm sales, prices are ranging mainly from €280 to €320/head, depending on quality.
Steers
Heavy bullocks over 600kg have seen prices ease. At the top of the market, prices are topping out at €2.20/kg with prices averaging €1.80/kg. Forward bullocks from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg for average-quality types. Lighter store bullocks are holding quite firm where the quality is good. Good-quality continentals are selling mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg with average quality types making from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg. Plainer types in the same weight range are selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg.
Heifers
Heifer prices are slightly improved on last week, but still a long way behind the same time last year. Heavy heifers are being met with a difficult trade and prices are averaging about twice the weight with the top-quality types making from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg. Forward-store heifers over 500kg are at €2.00/kg for average-quality types, with the top third over €2.20/kg on average. Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg are still being met with firm demand and are selling from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg, with U grades making over €2.40/kg.
Weanlings
Heavy bulls are being met with a difficult trade, selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg. Top-quality bulls are making over €2.30/kg. Prices are lagging 18c/kg or €70/head behind the same time last year. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg are steady where quality is good. Prices average €2.00/kg, but in stronger suckler areas, €2.25/kg are more common. The top third are making from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg. Heifers are easier, with less dairy influence having an effect on prices. The average 350kg heifer is selling for €2.20/kg.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: strong demand for store lambs at Ballina
Camera at the Mart: a little more bite for slaughter-fit lambs
Camera at the Mart: steady trade for quality stock at Thurles
Camera at the Mart: higher cattle prices at Ballymena Mart
Northern View: cattle quotes steady after recent price falls
Mart managers are reporting low throughputs of cattle right across the country, as we enter the seasonal low of sales.
With low numbers on offer and variable demand, the trade is a little unsettled.
While mart managers are reporting quite good demand for better quality cattle, the main demand is for lighter stores, with short-keep bullocks and heifers being met with weaker demand once again on account of the beef trade.
Heavy weanling bulls are being met with weak demand also, as demand from specialist finishers is not as strong as it was.
This has resulted in little difference between the prices paid for heavy feeding bulls over 450kg and top-quality weanlings under 400kg.
Calf sales are said to be holding firm, with the majority of continental calves six to eight weeks old selling from €300 to €400/head.
Where weaned Angus and Hereford calves are on offer in marts and through farm-to-farm sales, prices are ranging mainly from €280 to €320/head, depending on quality.
Steers
Heavy bullocks over 600kg have seen prices ease. At the top of the market, prices are topping out at €2.20/kg with prices averaging €1.80/kg. Forward bullocks from 500kg to 600kg are selling mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg for average-quality types. Lighter store bullocks are holding quite firm where the quality is good. Good-quality continentals are selling mainly from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg with average quality types making from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg. Plainer types in the same weight range are selling from €1.80/kg to €1.90/kg.
Heifers
Heifer prices are slightly improved on last week, but still a long way behind the same time last year. Heavy heifers are being met with a difficult trade and prices are averaging about twice the weight with the top-quality types making from €2.10/kg to €2.30/kg. Forward-store heifers over 500kg are at €2.00/kg for average-quality types, with the top third over €2.20/kg on average. Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg are still being met with firm demand and are selling from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg, with U grades making over €2.40/kg.
Weanlings
Heavy bulls are being met with a difficult trade, selling mainly from €2.00/kg to €2.20/kg. Top-quality bulls are making over €2.30/kg. Prices are lagging 18c/kg or €70/head behind the same time last year. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg are steady where quality is good. Prices average €2.00/kg, but in stronger suckler areas, €2.25/kg are more common. The top third are making from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg. Heifers are easier, with less dairy influence having an effect on prices. The average 350kg heifer is selling for €2.20/kg.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: strong demand for store lambs at Ballina
Camera at the Mart: a little more bite for slaughter-fit lambs
Camera at the Mart: steady trade for quality stock at Thurles
Camera at the Mart: higher cattle prices at Ballymena Mart
Northern View: cattle quotes steady after recent price falls
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