There are signs of a slightly improved mart trade on the back of increased confidence that beef prices are on the rise.
While the mood may be improved, average prices in MartWatch are not showing much of a lift after last week.
Having said that, mart managers right across the country are commenting on increased farmer demand and a sharper sale at marts, with fewer cattle going home unsold.
Mart managers are also saying the numbers on offer have started to tail off as usual as we come closer to the end of the year.
In terms of cull cow sales, the numbers on offer are reported to be small, with dairy farmers opting to milk on cows rather than dry them off and sell them.
While numbers are running lower than the same time last year, we should be mindful that last year saw higher throughputs of cows than normal as a result of low fodder supplies.
While throughput is low so far, it is expected that larger numbers will come out in the coming weeks as cows are dried off.
Steers
Heavy bullocks over 600kg have seen a slight improvement, with some mart managers saying that the pressure on aged and out-of-spec cattle has eased slightly in the past week. The average 600kg steer is selling for just under €1.80/kg, with U grades from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg at some sales.
Steers from 500kg to 600kg are a steady trade, according to MartWatch figures, at just under €1.90/kg for average-quality types. There have been signs that plainer cattle and Friesians have seen prices improve by up to 10c/kg in the past week.
Heifers
The heifer trade is following the steer trade, with average prices almost on par. Heavy heifers have steadied once again after last week’s increase. The average 500kg heifer is from €1.90/kg, with U grades over €2.10/kg.
Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg have seen prices stay steady also, but there have been signs of slight increases at some sales.
The average 450kg heifer is making €855/head, with U grades making a 30c/kg premium on this. This means that the average 450kg U grade heifer is selling for just under €1,000/head.
Weanlings
The numbers of weanlings on offer is still said to be reducing, as is the quality, and this is having an impact on average prices in the MartWatch tables. Farmer demand is strong and weanlings remain easier sold than in previous weeks.
The average 350kg weanling bull is making €2.10/kg, which is slightly lower than the same time last year. Heifers are running above the same week last year. The average 350kg heifer is making €720/head, with the top third making €850/head.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: high clearance rate at Kanturk fatstock show and sale
Camera at the Mart: heavy lambs up €7 to €8/head at Tullow Mart
Camera at the Mart: sharper trade all round at Nenagh general cattle sale
Camera at the Mart: beef heifer tops Christmas sale at Hilltown
NI trends: price deals for in-spec cattle; lamb prices steady
There are signs of a slightly improved mart trade on the back of increased confidence that beef prices are on the rise.
While the mood may be improved, average prices in MartWatch are not showing much of a lift after last week.
Having said that, mart managers right across the country are commenting on increased farmer demand and a sharper sale at marts, with fewer cattle going home unsold.
Mart managers are also saying the numbers on offer have started to tail off as usual as we come closer to the end of the year.
In terms of cull cow sales, the numbers on offer are reported to be small, with dairy farmers opting to milk on cows rather than dry them off and sell them.
While numbers are running lower than the same time last year, we should be mindful that last year saw higher throughputs of cows than normal as a result of low fodder supplies.
While throughput is low so far, it is expected that larger numbers will come out in the coming weeks as cows are dried off.
Steers
Heavy bullocks over 600kg have seen a slight improvement, with some mart managers saying that the pressure on aged and out-of-spec cattle has eased slightly in the past week. The average 600kg steer is selling for just under €1.80/kg, with U grades from €2.00/kg to €2.15/kg at some sales.
Steers from 500kg to 600kg are a steady trade, according to MartWatch figures, at just under €1.90/kg for average-quality types. There have been signs that plainer cattle and Friesians have seen prices improve by up to 10c/kg in the past week.
Heifers
The heifer trade is following the steer trade, with average prices almost on par. Heavy heifers have steadied once again after last week’s increase. The average 500kg heifer is from €1.90/kg, with U grades over €2.10/kg.
Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg have seen prices stay steady also, but there have been signs of slight increases at some sales.
The average 450kg heifer is making €855/head, with U grades making a 30c/kg premium on this. This means that the average 450kg U grade heifer is selling for just under €1,000/head.
Weanlings
The numbers of weanlings on offer is still said to be reducing, as is the quality, and this is having an impact on average prices in the MartWatch tables. Farmer demand is strong and weanlings remain easier sold than in previous weeks.
The average 350kg weanling bull is making €2.10/kg, which is slightly lower than the same time last year. Heifers are running above the same week last year. The average 350kg heifer is making €720/head, with the top third making €850/head.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: high clearance rate at Kanturk fatstock show and sale
Camera at the Mart: heavy lambs up €7 to €8/head at Tullow Mart
Camera at the Mart: sharper trade all round at Nenagh general cattle sale
Camera at the Mart: beef heifer tops Christmas sale at Hilltown
NI trends: price deals for in-spec cattle; lamb prices steady
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