The past week has seen another slight decrease in average prices across the marts. While this has been generally down to a greater supply of lesser quality cattle on offer in some areas, sales are a little slower.

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Basic Payment Scheme money has been a benefit in some areas, with noticeably more farmers active for stock. There has been a reduction in the number of feeder buyers also. While they continue to be active weighing cattle through marts, the decrease in activity at the ringside is visible.

Farmers are keeping the weanling trade propped up in most areas, but activity for forward bulls is much diminished, with a reluctance to pay more than €2.00/kg for average-quality types. Increasing cull cow numbers has resulted in weaker prices, particularly in the south, although average prices of continental types has eased slightly also.

Steers

Store bullock prices eased slightly due to a combination of increased numbers of lesser-quality cattle and slightly reduced activity. While BPS money has been a help as farmer buyer activity has increased, this has mainly been for top-quality cattle. Average prices from 500kg to 600kg have reduced slightly by €15 to €20/head. Lighter stores from 400kg to 500kg saw prices ease, with prices strongest in the west. Those in stronger suckler areas sold mainly from €2.10/kg to €2.20/kg on average.

Heifers

Heifer prices have eased slightly in many areas. The number of plainer-quality types on offer has increased, but some mart managers are reporting slightly reduced demand. Again, plainer cattle are the worst affected, but in the main better quality heifers continue to be met with the best demand. Heifers over 500kg are selling from €2.00/kg for average quality types to €2.25/kg for better quality types. Average prices are running €115/head below the same time last year for the average 500kg heifer.

Weanlings

The weanling trade is currently outperforming the store cattle trade. Farmers continue to be active and exporter activity for Turkey is placing a firm floor under light weanling bull prices. The weakest trade is the forward bull over 400kg, which is being met with weak demand. Bulls from 300kg to 400kg remain a steady trade and are just €60 to €80/head back on the same time last year. Heifers have seen prices remain firm also. The average 320kg heifer is making €2.20/kg to €2.25/kg or €710/head.

Read more

A tougher trade at Thurles for plainer stock

Strong trade for weanlings at Ballinrobe

Strong trade for all cattle at Ballymena

Cull cow numbers increasing slowly in the south

What's on in the marts in the coming weeks

Northern view: NI base cattle quotes on the rise