Friday, March 29, 2024
9.4 C
Galway
HomeBeefTalking Trade: A look at cattle prices in marts
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Talking Trade: A look at cattle prices in marts

In this week’s edition of Talking Trade, That’s Farming editor, Catherina Cunnane, reviews cattle prices in livestock marts over the last week.

Aurivo Balla Mart

According to Stephen Hannon, just over 800 lots came under the hammer across three rings at Aurivo Balla Mart on Saturday, May 6th, 2023.

Prices reached €2,210 in the bullock ring, while heifers peaked at €2,520, €2,400 for suckler pairs and €2,570 for cull cows.

The general manager of Aurivo Marts and manager of Balla Mart reported that bullocks 300kg to 400kg averaged €3.36/kg, while stores in the 400kg to 500kg weight bracket levelled at €3.25/kg and heavier types 500kg were up on last week, standing €3.05/kg on average.

According to Hannon, “quality heavy bullocks 700kg+ were making up to €1500 with the weight”.

In ring two, just over 300 head crossed the scales, with lighter store heifers 300 – 400kg averaging €3.13/kg and those in the 400kg to 500kg weight bracket levelling at €3.00/kg.

Heifers 500kg+ averaged out at €2.98/kg with highs of €2,520 for a February-2022-born BBX heifer, which weighed 510kgs.

The third ring was in operation as usual for cows, with tops of €2,570 for a November-2016-born Charolais, weighing 870kgs.

Read more on this mart report.

Aurivo Ballinrobe Mart

According to Teresa Gibsey, assistant manager at Aurivo Ballinrobe Mart, prices ranged from €40 to €2,820 at its general cattle sale on Wednesday, May 10th, 2023.

Bullocks were in “strong” demand on the back of a clearance of 98% and prices from €690 to €1,770 per head or €2.08 to €3.92 per kg. The average for bullocks 500kg plus was €2.99/kg, and entries 400kg to 500kg averaged out at €3.08/kg.

The continental heifer sale met with “great” demand with a full clearance and highs of €2,820 or €4.70/kg.

Heifer prices ranged from €710 to €2.820 per head or €2.18 to €4.70 per kg. The average for heifers 500kg plus was €3.07/kg & heifers 400 to 500kg average was €2.84/kg.

Weanling bulls were a “good trade”, and with a clearance of 99%, prices ranged from €820 to €1,790 per head or €2.73 to €3.92 per kg. The average price for weanling 200kgs to 350kgs was €3.38/kg, and weanlings 350kgs to 450kgs stood at €3.06/kg.

Weanling heifers changed hands from €840 to €1030 per head or €2.86 to €4.20 per kg. The average for heifers 200 – 350kg was €3.57/kg, an increase on last week’s average, according to Gibsey.

Read more on this mart report.

Castlerea Mart

According to Brendan Egan, the recent inclement weather and ground conditions “failed to dampen trade” at Castlerea Mart’s general cattle sale on Thursday, May 11th, 2023.

The mart manager reported that over 500 animals came under the hammer, where the bullock ring witnessed prices up to €2,150, while the heifer ring recorded a top price of €2,640.

Meanwhile, dry cows peaked at €2,300, and cows with calves at foot maxed out at €2,410.

The weanling rings recorded highs of €3.75/kg for bulls, with tops of €4.11/kg for heifers in this category.

The calf ring, according to Egan, noticed a “good clearance” with demand “remaining strong”.

Read more on this mart report.

Dowra Mart

According to a spokesperson for Dowra Mart, a slightly smaller entry of circa just over 600 lots came under the hammer at Saturday’s cattle sale on Saturday, May 6th, 2023, writes farming journalist, Catherina Cunnane.

Dry cows topped out at €2640 for a CHX, weighing 865kg, while a LMX stock bull weighing 995kg at €2360.

A light CHX bullock weighing 460kg maxed out at €1500, while a LMX bullock weighing 610kg peaked at for €2000 and a CHX heifer weanling weighing 370kg – €1550.

The spokesperson noted that “trade was steady; however, some cattle were a shade less”.

Read more on this mart report.

Tuam Mart

A tightening in supplies drove the trade at Tuam Mart’s general cattle sale on Monday, May 8th, 2023, according to Marion Devane.

The mart manager reported that following a successful bank holiday sale, this week saw a “lightning” trade for both good quality continental and traditional type stores and factory-fit cattle.

“There an abundance of both ringside and online bidders eager to secure supplies,” she remarked.

Read more on this mart report.

See more mart reports on That’s Farming.

News article on new network between Irish & British marts to launch next week

- Advertisment -

Most Popular