Exporters continued to remain busy at the ringside this week, with buying for Turkey adding more bite to the weanling trade.

The Turkish market has grown in importance to the Irish suckler industry, as over 22,000 Irish cattle have been shipped to the country since it opened to Irish cattle in 2016.

In total, seven boatloads of Irish cattle have left Irish shores for Turkey. These consisted of shipments of heavy bulls, weanling bulls and breeding heifers.

Ennis Mart

There was renewed export activity around both the heifer and bull weanling rings in Ennis Mart on Tuesday. Weanling heifer prices improved by €30/head in the Co. Clare venue due to the activity of a Turkish buyer.

Bulls and heifers (260-400kg) sold for €2.49-3.13/kg, while the heavier lots on offer traded at €2.26-3.00/kg.

Sample weanling prices:
  • Charolais bull: 265kg – €850 or €3.21/kg.
  • Belgian Blue bull: 375kg – €1,120 or €2.99/kg.
  • Simmental bull: 285kg – €825 or €2.89/kg.
  • Charolais heifer: 290kg – €865 or €2.98/kg.
  • Charolais heifer: 345kg – €1,080 or €3.13/kg.
  • Belgian Blue heifer: 325kg – €1,000 or €3.08/kg.

A number of in-calf suckler cows also passed through the ring on Tuesday. Prices of €1,150-1,250/head were paid for these lots, while cows with calves at foot made €1,300-1,650/head.

Kilkenny Mart

Kilkenny Mart, Cillin Hill, featured an entry of 600 cattle on Thursday. The trade was somewhat easier than previous weeks as other farming activities, such as cutting silage, took precedence.

Light cattle prices were back to the tune of €10-20/head. However, forward and short-keep store cattle were scarce and in strong demand. This resulted in prices for these types improving by €30/head and more.

Steers (500-600kg) made €2.16-2.58/kg, lighter lots (400-500kg) sold for €2.13-2.75/kg and the weanling types on offer traded at €2.06-2.86/kg.

Sample heifer prices:
  • Two Belgian Blues: 695kg – €1,700 or €2.45/kg
  • One Belgian Blue: 600kg – €1,440 or €2.40/kg.
  • Two Limousins: 330kg – €750 or €2.27/kg.
  • Six Belgian Blues: 364kg – €1,000 or €2.75/kg.
  • Two Limousins: 375kg – €1,050 or €2.80/kg.
  • One Hereford: 380kg – €900 or €2.37/kg.

Thursday’s sale also featured a number of cull cows. The Friesian types traded at €1.40-1.85/kg and the continental types made €2.00-2.44/kg.

Roscommon Mart

There were good numbers on offer in Roscommon Mart on Tuesday, where prices for bull weanlings stood at €2.34-2.98/kg or €430-775 over.

Weanling heifer prices improved on the previous week’s sale. These lots traded at €2.42-3.57/kg or €370-845 over.

Sample weanling prices:
  • Limousin heifer: 385kg – €1,230 or €3.19/kg.
  • Charolais heifer: 400kg – €1,105 or €2.76/kg.
  • Angus heifer: 455kg – €990 or €2.22/kg.
  • Charolais bull: 410kg – €1,185 or €2.89/kg.
  • Belgian Blue bull: 345kg – €955 or €2.77/kg.
  • Angus bull: 285kg – €760 or €2.67/kg.

A number of cows with calves at foot also passed through the ring and these lots made €1,600-1,800.