Weanling sales are ramping up right across the country and the initial results show strong demand for good-quality types. However, plainer-quality types are a slightly harder sell.
With an air of doom and gloom around the country, one of the positive aspects to the trade has been the re-emergence of exporter activity sourcing bulls for the Turkish and north African markets.
While it is unlikely that this increased export demand will improve weanling prices to any great extent, it is helping to place a floor in the trade for light and plainer-quality weanlings as numbers on offer increase. Reports suggest that exporters are sourcing light plain-quality bulls from 200kg to 350kg, with some exporters focusing on light Friesian bulls.
Forward store cattle are still a difficult trade, with beef price pressure having an impact on short-keep cattle prices.
Farmers, in general, are focusing on sourcing lighter stores and weanlings in favour of heavier store cattle, with the hope that the current beef price pressure will have eased when these cattle will be sold or slaughtered.
Steers
Heavy store bullocks over 600kg have seen variable prices, with quality having a major affect on prices. They averaged €1.82/kg or €1,092/head for 600kg. Lighter stores have seen price variability also, with dairy-crosses and Friesian bullocks met with weakest demand. The average 550kg steer is currently making €1,034, with U grades selling for €1,177/head, back €143/head on the same week last year. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are running well behind last year also, with the average 450kg bullock making €860/head.
Heifers
Like bullocks, the heifer trade is variable, with a large difference between the prices paid for good-quality continentals and plain-quality types. The average 550kg heifer is making €1,083/head, back by €105/head on the same time last year. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are selling for €1.96/kg on average, with prices of R grade continentals ranging from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg. U grades are making from €2.20/kg up to €2.50/kg at the top of the trade. Average prices are back by €50/head on the same time last year.
Weanlings
While MartWatch data shows wide variation in the prices paid for weanlings, there is some solace in the fact that where special sales are taking place, the trade is better than expected. The average 350kg bull is making €680/head. However, in stronger suckler areas, continental weanlings are running over €100/head higher on average. The top third of bulls in special sales are selling from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg. The weanling heifer trade is similar, with best demand for suckler-bred weanlings while dairy-crosses are a weak trade.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: Borris Ewe Breeders' sale brings brightness in time of gloom
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Camera at the Mart: farmers, agents and exporters active at Roscommon
Camera at the Mart: rock solid trade for heavy stores at Clogher
NI trends: grass cattle affecting beef price as lamb trade holds steady
Weanling sales are ramping up right across the country and the initial results show strong demand for good-quality types. However, plainer-quality types are a slightly harder sell.
With an air of doom and gloom around the country, one of the positive aspects to the trade has been the re-emergence of exporter activity sourcing bulls for the Turkish and north African markets.
While it is unlikely that this increased export demand will improve weanling prices to any great extent, it is helping to place a floor in the trade for light and plainer-quality weanlings as numbers on offer increase. Reports suggest that exporters are sourcing light plain-quality bulls from 200kg to 350kg, with some exporters focusing on light Friesian bulls.
Forward store cattle are still a difficult trade, with beef price pressure having an impact on short-keep cattle prices.
Farmers, in general, are focusing on sourcing lighter stores and weanlings in favour of heavier store cattle, with the hope that the current beef price pressure will have eased when these cattle will be sold or slaughtered.
Steers
Heavy store bullocks over 600kg have seen variable prices, with quality having a major affect on prices. They averaged €1.82/kg or €1,092/head for 600kg. Lighter stores have seen price variability also, with dairy-crosses and Friesian bullocks met with weakest demand. The average 550kg steer is currently making €1,034, with U grades selling for €1,177/head, back €143/head on the same week last year. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are running well behind last year also, with the average 450kg bullock making €860/head.
Heifers
Like bullocks, the heifer trade is variable, with a large difference between the prices paid for good-quality continentals and plain-quality types. The average 550kg heifer is making €1,083/head, back by €105/head on the same time last year. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg are selling for €1.96/kg on average, with prices of R grade continentals ranging from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg. U grades are making from €2.20/kg up to €2.50/kg at the top of the trade. Average prices are back by €50/head on the same time last year.
Weanlings
While MartWatch data shows wide variation in the prices paid for weanlings, there is some solace in the fact that where special sales are taking place, the trade is better than expected. The average 350kg bull is making €680/head. However, in stronger suckler areas, continental weanlings are running over €100/head higher on average. The top third of bulls in special sales are selling from €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg. The weanling heifer trade is similar, with best demand for suckler-bred weanlings while dairy-crosses are a weak trade.
Read more
Camera at the Mart: Borris Ewe Breeders' sale brings brightness in time of gloom
Camera at the Mart: massive interest at Kerry suckler sale
Camera at the Mart: farmers, agents and exporters active at Roscommon
Camera at the Mart: rock solid trade for heavy stores at Clogher
NI trends: grass cattle affecting beef price as lamb trade holds steady
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