Strong live trade for beef animals

Marts: There is a stronger live trade at the marts particularly for beef animals, forward stores and the top of the range weanlings this week with gains of up to €30/head.

The strength of the beef trade is now reflected in demand for the heavy bullocks and heifers to finish to beef over the three months with the supply of cattle for October and November expected to be very tight. Factories with facilities for finishing cattle are competing with farmers at the ringside for the quality heavy bullocks and heifers to finish later this year which is being read as a further positive indicator for the beef trade.

Up to €500 over €/kg is being paid for the quality heavy bullocks, while top of the range heavy heifers are making up to €50 over — all prices showing gains of up to €30/head.