Cattle marts: Managers signal to a strengthening of the store trade
Last week proved to be a good period for selling store cattle, as a strengthening demand from farmers was noted by mart managers. Many farmers were not afraid to contest it out to get their hands on suitable store bullock or heifer for grass.
The continental store bullocks (weighing 400-500kg) were reported to be selling from €2.20/kg up with some lots selling up to €2.55/kg in a number of marts. Last week, Padraig McElroy quoted these types of bullocks were fetching prices up to €2.60/kg.
[colored_box color="green"]Hereford and Angus bullocks weighing above 500kg were sought after last week, with plenty of marts recording healthy prices of €1.95/kg up to €2.35/kg in some cases. [/colored_box]
In the store heifer trade, these females were averaging close to €2.25/kg in a number of marts – if they fell into the 400-500 weight bracket. Heifers weighing between 500-600kg, were selling up to €2.50/kg for continental breeds.
Heavy and forward type continental bullocks and heifers were still not as plentiful in a number of marts. Of the cattle that were sold, they ranged from €2.00/kg up to the €2.20/kg bracket in the majority of cases.
In the cull cow trade, there was an uplift in the prices reported by some managers last week, with more numbers of younger and heavier continental-bred cows capable of reaching above €1.95/kg. These prices eased back to €1.65/kg for the plainer and lighter types.
Friesian-bred cull cows were averaging at €1.40-1.50/kg last week.
Prices for quality weanling heifers were starting off at €2.55/kg and exceeding €3.00/kg.
Weanling bulls were selling at an average of €2.30-2.40/kg for the heavier lots over 450kg, while lighter bulls sold from were fit selling from €2.40/kg up to €2.90/kg and higher in some reports.
Dowra Mart
There was a big sale of cattle on Saturday (February 27) in Dowra Mart and prices – with all class of stock up for grabs.
Speaking to AgriLand about the trade in the Cavan-based mart, manager Terry McGovern stated there were more customers eager to get their hands on stock on Saturday.
Starting with the weanling trade, Terry explained:
The top of the lighter weanling heifers were selling from €2.60/kg up to €3.00/kg – there was a great demand overall for weanling heifers this week.
“The bull weanlings were a slightly different trade; they were just not as strong as the heifers. The 400kg bulls were selling from €2.50/kg up to a tops of €2.80-2.90/kg.
“Although, the lighter bulls were still a good trade – they were topped at €3.20/kg.”
Terry noted overall on Saturday the store trade was very strong, with mostly continentals on offer.
He said:
The store heifers were a very good trade this week – the run of the lighter store heifers was averaging €2.50/kg. The heavier store heifers were selling at €2.30-2.50/kg.
“We had plenty of customers looking for store bullocks this week, and they proved to be hard bought for a number buyers.”
Moving to the cow trade, Terry highlighted that the store trade was dearer than the previous week as he explained:
The top price on the day was €2.25/kg, in comparison to the previous week cows were dearer.
“The plainer cows started off at €1.50/kg and sold up to €2.20/kg – with plenty of customers seeking cows on Saturday,” he concluded.
