There has been an improvement in the store cattle trade as grass buyers are beginning to make their presence felt around the ring.
Store cattle prices have improved by 10% over the last three weeks in Carnew Mart, according to the Mart Manager David Quinn.
Quinn said that there were more farmer customers keen to buy store cattle for grass around the ring on Saturday and this had a positive impact on the trade.
He said that these buyers were keen to purchase store steers and heifers for grass and were paying as much as €2.70/kg for continental heifers.
The Mart Manager said that farmers were paying €2.60-2.70/kg for the better quality lots, while the plainer black Limousin heifers from the dairy herd sold to a top price of €2.50/kg.
However, despite the uplift in store cattle prices, Quinn said that factory specs are still having an impact on the trade and buyers are still keen to purchase cattle that can be finished up 30 months of age.
Quinn also said that cull cows met with a very strong trade, with the best of the continentals trading from €400-800 over, while the plainer Friesian cows sold from €150-350 over.
A similar story was also evident in Mohill Mart on Saturday, where heifers improved by 10c/kg on the strength of grass buyers.
Mart Manager Steven Hannon said that cattle were very easily sold and it was a good weekend to sell stock, as heifers were in demand from farmers buying cattle to graze this summer.
Heifers weighing in the region of 500kg traded at €2.70/kg, he said.
He also said that young store bulls were also in demand in Wednesday’s weanling sale, with farmers keen to purchase store bulls under 400kg, which made €2.30-2.40/kg.
Mart report round up
Balla Mart
There was 1,050 cattle on offer in Balla Mart on Saturday and there was a good trade, as farmers were buying cattle for grass, according to the Mart’s Anthony Murphy.
As a result of grass buyer demand, store cattle were up by €20-40/head on the previous week’s sale, making from €1.51-3.50/kg, while the heavier steers traded from €1.80-3.02/kg.
There was also 330 heifers on offer in the Mayo venue on Saturday. Store heifers sold from €550-850 over or €1.74-3.04/kg.
Heavy heifers met with a similar trade to last week, with these lots averaging €1.62-2.95/kg.
Over 120 weanlings passed through the sales ring and quality cattle meet with good demand. Light bulls sold from €1.78-3.31/kg. Heavy bull weanlings made €2.09-2.42/kg. Light heifers sold from €1.56-3.04/kg, while heavier lots traded from €1.61-2.95/kg.
There was also 140 cows on offer and dry cows sold from €1.18-2.16/kg.
Mountbellew Mart held its special show and sale on Friday and according to the Mart Manager Marianne Higgins it was the biggest sale so far this year.
There was very strong demand for all lots with an almost full clearance and farmers and shippers were most active for weanlings.
There was a good trade for all weanlings, with bulls making €500-800 over, with the top lot selling at €3.25/kg. Heifers made from €450-750 over, with a top price of €3.34/kg.
There was a big sale in Macroom Mart on Saturday, according to the Mart Manager John O’Mahony, with a good trade across the board for all types of stock.
Dry cows in the Cork venue traded from €90-615 over or €1.76-1.96/kg, while heifers made from €225-835 over or €2.31-2.5/kg. Hereford and Angus steers met with a good trade and these lots sold from €230-745 over or €2.24-2.91/kg, while the continental steers sold from €240-755 over or €2.23-2.53/kg.
Cull cows were in demand by farmers on Thursday in Raphoe Mart, according to the Mart Manager Anne Harkin, with these lots purchased for grazing and further feeding.
Cows purchased for grazing sold from €800-1,150 over, while factory agents paid €1.70-2/kg for factory fit cows.
Quality bulls and steers were in good demand, but the plainer lots were a little harder sell. Quality lots made from €2.50-2.75/kg, with the lighter bulls making in excess of €3/kg. Plainer lots traded from €2-2.20/kg.
Heifers suitable for further feeding were in good demand. The better quality lots sold from €2.30-2.70/kg, while the plainer lots traded from €2-2.20/kg.
Likewise, lighter lots were in good demand for quality heifers, but the plainer lots were harder to sell. Quality lots sold up to €3/kg with plainer lots from €2-2.40/kg.
Mountbellew Mart
Macroom Mart
Raphoe Mart