The autumn 2026 weanling trade may not have hit the same highs of autumn 2025 but trade remains largely positive when looking at current prices versus a five-year average.

It is not unusual to see average prices from mart sales easing somewhat as the autumn weanling sale season progresses; weanling type and quality can sometimes be a factor in this trend.

Farmer buyer activity for weanlings is remaining largely strong, with exporter buying activity firm also after easing somewhat at several mart venues in the week ending Sunday, October 18.

Anecdotal conversations with mart managers would indicate more suckler farmers have picked up on the message of the importance of vaccinating weanlings against respiratory infections in particular.

Weanling trade comment: Ennis Mart

The weanling sale at Ennis Mart, Co. Clare, on Tuesday, October 20, featured over 1,000 head of cattle.

Speaking to Agriland after the sale, mart manager Martin McNamara said that the trade for the weanling bulls was back 5-10c/kg in cases.

Export buyer activity remained firm at the sale with over 100 weanling bulls purchased by shippers on the day.

Sample weanling bull prices from the most recent sale at Ennis Mart:

One Charolais bull weighing 295kg sold for €1,900 (€6.44/kg);
Three Charolais bulls weighing 355kg sold for €2,240 (€6.31/kg);
Three Charolais bulls weighing 268kg sold for €1,820 (€6.78/kg);
Four Limousin bulls weighing 321kg sold for €1,900 (€5.91/kg);
Two Limousin bulls weighing 285kg sold for €1,780 (€6.24/kg);
Two Charolais bulls weighing 340kg sold for €2,050 (€6.03/kg);
One Charolais bull weighing 435kg sold for €2,770 (€6.37/kg);
One Limousin bull weighing 440kg sold for €2,660 (€6.04/kg);
One Charolais bull weighing 425kg sold for €2,280 (€5.36/kg);
One Charolais bull weighing 400kg sold for €2,320 (€5.80/kg).

The trade for weanling heifers was also "a shade tougher" with prices back 5c/kg on the previous week, McNamara said.

Sample weanling heifer prices from the most recent sale at Ennis Mart:

One Limousin heifer weighing 280kg sold for €1,690 (€6.03/kg);
One Limousin heifer weighing 230kg sold for €1,640 (€7.13/kg);
Two Limousin heifers weighing 272kg sold for €1,410 (€5.17/kg);
Three Charolais heifers weighing 270kg sold for €1,260 (€4.64/kg);
One Limousin weanling heifer weighing 395kg sold for €2,300 (€5.82/kg);
One Limousin heifer weighing 330kg sold for €2,280 (€6.91/kg);
One Charolais heifer weighing 305kg sold for €1,570 (€5.15/kg);
One Limousin heifer weighing 305kg sold for €1,540 (€5.05/kg);
One Limousin heifer weighing 420kg sold for €1,840 (€4.38/kg);
One Limousin heifer weighing 405kg sold for €1,780 (€4.10/kg).

The Ennis mart manager said that there was a big entry of runners in the sale also with bulls peaking at €1,760 and heifer runners hitting €1,480.

In-calf cows made up to €4,150 in the sale and and cow-calf pairs made up to €3,400 with a good entry of suckler stock on offer overall.