Tullow Mart has seen an improvement in the cattle trade in recent weeks as grass shortages begin to push more cattle off farms and winter finishers return to the ring, according to mart manager Eric Driver.

Speaking to Agriland, Driver said that the store and beef trade had strengthened in the past week or so, with an improved trade reported for store and finished cattle at the sale last week.

He attributed some of the improvement to shed finishers beginning to return to the market, despite the difficult trading conditions experienced by many finishers last spring.

The mart manager also said that a significant amount of cattle have been offloaded at marts recently as farmers try to reduce feed demand on farm.

In relation to the sheep market, Driver said that trade has remained relatively "good" throughout the year, with demand from the wholesale sector playing an important role in supporting prices.

"The good sheep trade that's been seen right through the year has been driven by the wholesale trade here, complemented in the marts for the last number of months," he added.

However, he admitted that there has been "a little bit of resistance" from farmers looking for store lambs, with producers still conscious of the losses experienced by some finishers during the previous winter.

Grass shortages

According to Driver, the ongoing dry weather is now adding further pressure, with grass shortages affecting the ability of farmers to finish store lambs.

He highlighted that the lack of grass growth is being compounded by concerns around forage crops and the availability of fodder for this upcoming winter.

Overall though, the mart manager pointed to an improved trade for heavier lambs, suggesting that tightening supplies could begin to support prices.

"Supply and demand is what sets the trade in any commodity," he emphasised.

Continental heifers

Tullow Mart is preparing for a major dispersal sale tomorrow Saturday (August 29), featuring 100 continental in-calf heifers.

Driver described the sale as a "rare opportunity", with the heifers sourced from predominately suckler-bred herds.

The heifers are all in-calf to Limousin bulls, with the majority due to calve between now and the end of January.