Cattle marts: No setbacks reported in demand for 'factory-fit' cattle

The drive and competition between factory agents to get their hands on ‘factory-fit’ cattle continued last week, with little or no setbacks in trade reported in marts.

Some mart managers were also reporting the fact that some cattle were either overage or out-of-spec had minimal impact on their prices last week.

Looking at the forward bullocks first of all, these were securing prices of generally ranging from €2.10/kg up to of €2.30/kg. Hereford and Angus bullocks that were ready for hanging up were fetching prices of €1.95-2.10/kg.

Also Read: Solid trade remains for forward cattle at Athenry Mart

Beef heifers with continental breeding were averaging at €2.15-2.25/kg, with plenty of stand out prices recorded in some marts.

The store trade is still holding steady, although one issue which has been highlighted heavily in recent times is the 5% reduction requirement for the BEAM (Beef Emergency Aid Measure) scheme. Any impact that this is going to have on the trade should be seen within the next month or so – as some farmers in scheme may be restricted in buying cattle.

Last week witnessed continental store bullocks selling to averages of €2.23-2.35/kg. Store heifers on the other hand were reported to be averaging close to the €2.30/kg. Traditional breeds recorded slightly lower averages, although some marts were reporting notable prices for Angus of up to €2.20/kg.

Cows were more or less similar to last week, with €1.75-2.15/kg being the general run of prices paid for forward beef types.

This week AgriLand takes a look at the recent sales of cattle in Roscommon and Baltinglass Marts.

Roscommon Mart

Roscommon Mart held a strong sale of cattle last Friday (January 29), with bullocks, heifers and dry cows up for auction.

Maura Quigley, the mart’s manager, noted that numbers were more or less similar to the previous week, with “a good trade for all classes of stock”.

Commenting on the sale of stock, Maura stated: “Bullocks averaged from €2.34/kg up to €2.74/kg. Heifers made an average of €2.25/kg up to €2.43/kg.

“There was a good demand for stock with the majority of lots getting sold.”

Sample heifer prices:

Simmental: 580kg – €1,270 or €2.18/kg;
Limousin: 575kg – €1,270 or €2.20/kg;
Simmental: 560kg – €1,230 or €2.19/kg;
Simmental: 560kg – €1,180 or €2.10/kg;
Charolais: 535kg – €1,300 or €2.42/kg;
Limousin: 530kg – €1,290 or €2.43/kg;
Limousin: 505kg – €1,110 or €2.19/kg;
Angus: 505kg – €1,070 or €2.11/kg;
Charolais: 355kg – €850 or €2.39/kg.

Sample bullock prices:

Charolais: 790kg – €1,810 or €2.29/kg;
Limousin: 810kg – €1,800 or €2.22/kg;
Parthenaise: 760kg – €1,760 or €2.31/kg;
Hereford: 750kg – €1,540 or €2.05/kg;
Limousin: 695kg – €1,660 or €2.38/kg;
Charolais: 621kg – €1,590 or €2.56/kg;
Angus: 620kg – €1,440 or €2.32/kg;
Blonde d’Aquitaine: 580kg – €1,590 or €2.74/kg;
Angus: 552kg – €1,280 or €2.31/kg;
Limousin: 536kg – €1,300 or €2.42/kg;
Angus: 535kg – €1,290 or €2.41/kg;
Charolais: 528kg – €1,300 or €2.46/kg;
Charolais: 432kg – €1,140 or €2.63/kg.

There was a solid trade for the number of cull cows on offer last Friday, as Maura claimed: “Dry cows fetched from €1.75/kg up to €2.12/kg.”

Sample dry cow prices:

Simmental: 870kg – €1,660 or €1.90/kg;
Limousin: 785kg – €1,460 or €1.85/kg;
Hereford: 755 kg – €1,360 or €1.80/kg;
Belgian Blue: 755kg – €1,480 or €1.96/kg;
Limousin: 745kg – €1,500 or €2.01/kg;
Limousin: 725kg – €1,540 or €2.12/kg;
Charolais: 710kg – €1,470 or €2.07/kg;
Limousin: 660kg – €1,220 or €1.84/kg;
Limousin: 645 kg – €1,340 or €2.07/kg;
Angus: 630kg – €1,160 or €1.84/kg;
Limousin: 620kg – €1,180 or €1.90/kg;
Limousin: 525kg – €1,100 or €2.09/kg.

Baltinglass Mart

There was an improvement in trade for bullocks last week at Baltinglass Mart, as they held a special sale of beef and forward bullocks on Wednesday (January 27), according to the mart’s manager Tom Coleman.

Commenting on the sale, he stated:

“There was a very good entry of all types of cattle, especially heavy beef bullocks.

“Trade was strong and brisk and prices were much improved on recent weeks, despite all the uncertainty of Brexit and Covid-19. This was appreciated by all, especially the sellers.

“The top price of €1,800 or €2.06/kg was for a 870kg Hereford bullock. There were also five Limousin-bred stores, weighing 400kg, that made €1,050 or €2.62/kg.”

Sample bullock prices (700-800kg):