Cattle marts: Improvements being seen in the dry cow rings

As processors start to move dry cow prices in the right direction, some marts are beginning to see further improvements in the dry cow rings over the past week – especially for store cows.

With the message being for factory agents to hoover up these dry cows, the competition it is creating with northern clients is resulting in some higher prices being secured by farmers.

Any farmer with store and heavy cull cows to sell, should really consider their options as the mart may be a more suitable option in some cases.

From the general prices reported for cull cows, these are currently ranging from €2.05/kg back to €1.60/kg for continentals.

In the store trade, prices were still holding firm in a number of marts last week. However, in prices reported at Clones Mart last Thursday, the trade for some categories of stores were slightly back.

Also Read: Pics and prices: Forward bullocks sell up to €2,000 at Clones Mart

Continental store heifers in the 400-500kg bracket continue to sell at average prices of €2.30-2.35/kg for continentals. Hereford heifers in the same weight category were selling at €1.89-2.05/kg.

The scarcity of heavy cattle continues at some marts, with prices paid last week ranging from €2.05-2.40/kg for both continental bullocks and heifers. Heavy Angus bullocks were selling up to €2.25/kg at some marts.

Looking further at the bullock prices, the 500-600kg store bullock with Hereford or Angus breeding was fit to make from €1.95/kg and reaching up to €2.20/kg. The continentals were valued at prices of €2.22/kg up to €2.50/kg in cases, depending on quality.

In the weanling rings, bulls over 400kg were averaging at €2.35-2.45/kg, while the lighter bulls were valued from €2.45/kg up to €3.00/kg.

Continental weanling heifers under 400kg were selling strong last week, with prices reported from €2.50/kg to €3.10/kg.

This week AgriLand takes a look at the recent sale of cattle at Tullamore Mart.

Tullamore Mart

There was increased volume in numbers presented for sale at Tullamore Mart on Thursday (March 18).

Speaking about sale last week, manager Antoinette Daly stated:

The trade would have been improved by €30/head to €60/head on last week.

She also added: “There was a strong presence of grass buyers bidding online along – with the feedlot buyers, factory agents and northern buyers also extremely active.”

With over 500 cattle on offer last week, the Offaly-based mart reported an almost 100% clearance rate. In the bullock ring prices for stores were topped at €2.79/kg, while heifers were peaked at €2.76/kg.

The dry cows were selling up to €2.11/kg last week.

Sample bullock prices: