Special sales in the past few weeks have seen extremely strong prices paid for good quality cattle and weanlings, with farmer demand for weanlings being the driving force.

While average prices for 350kg weanling bulls have slipped a little since last week, they remain on par with the same time last year.

Where special sales are taking place, bulls from 300kg to 400kg are selling from €2.30/kg to €2.40/kg for average quality types, with the top third making from €2.60/kg to €2.80/kg.

Lighter bulls from 200kg to 300kg are seeing prices run up to 30c/kg – equivalent to €60 to €90/head higher than the same time last year. Again this is driven by strong farmer demand for better quality types. In the case of Angus and Hereford weanlings, prices are now running at over €2.00/kg and up to €2.10/kg for choice lots. This is up by 15c to 20c/kg on last year.

Store slippage

However, due to recent poor weather and an increase in the supply of dairy crosses, there has been some slippage to average store cattle prices in recent days. Factory agents and feeders remain very active at marts for in-spec forward stores.

Last week prices were slightly ahead of the same week last year due mainly to special sales.

This week the average price paid for forward stores is running slightly behind the same week last year.

Farmer demand for store bullocks is the main driver behind the trade and they are favouring good quality continentals.

The average 450kg bullock is selling for €960/head, just €15/head less than the same week last year. The top third of bullocks in the same weight category are selling for €1,100/head, again just slightly behind the same week last year.