The number of cattle on offer in marts continues to rise, with special weanling and store sales taking place right across the country. While store cattle prices are running well behind the same time last year, the weanling trade is quite strong in contrast.

With beef price pressure continuing and factories in lockdown once again, some mart managers are fearful that this will have a negative impact on short-keep and factory-fit stock.

Lighter stores under 500kg are a strong trade considering the present climate. This is being driven by strong farmer activity for younger cattle in a bid to minimise the short-term exposure to poor beef prices.

The weanling trade is benefiting from the strong farmer demand also, but the key driver for the weanling trade is the strong export activity.

Exporters are sourcing various quality and weights of weanlings, but mostly average under 300kg types, while others are buying Friesian bulls.

This strong export demand has placed a firm floor under prices of these type.

Steers

Heavy short-keep bullocks over 600kg are running 12c/kg or €72/head behind the same time last year, with plainer-quality and over-age bullocks worst affected. While prices are up a shade on last week, this is down to a reduction in the proportion of plainer-quality cattle on offer. Stores from 500kg to 600kg are running 14c/kg behind the same week last year, with good-quality R grade continentals selling for around €2.00/kg. Angus and Herefords are selling from €1.70/kg to €1.80/kg, but some plain types are selling from €1.60/kg upwards.

Heifers

The heifer trade is steady, with prices relatively unchanged on last week. Forward heifers over 500kg are selling from €1.85/kg to €2.00/kg for average-quality types, with U grade continentals making from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg. Plainer-quality types in the same weight range are seeing variable demand. Lighter store heifers from 400kg to 500kg are selling mainly from €1.90/kg to €2.00/kg, with U grades making over €2.30/kg amidst strong farmer demand. Average prices are running 12c/kg or €50 to €60/head lower than the same time last year.

Weanlings

Considering the current beef climate, the trade for weanlings is stronger than expected. However, it is early in the season and numbers are just starting to increase. Farmers and exporters are the driving force, with exporters reported to be buying a large proportion of weanlings at some sales. Average-quality bulls from 300kg to 400kg are actually ahead of last year and are selling from €2.25/kg to €2.32/kg or €800 for the average 350kg bull. Light bulls under 300kg are a strong trade also and are averaging €2.63/kg.

Read more

Camera at the Mart: strong store demand, but at a price

Camera at the Mart: farmer activity for light stores firm

Camera at the Mart: firm store trade in Kilkenny

Camera at the Mart: firm trade for quality cattle at Downpatrick

NI trends: base quotes continue to ease