Stronger prices for store cattle

Supplies of store cattle on offer in the marts have dropped off sharply in most regions of the country, but any easing in the prices being paid over recent weeks, has been reversed with demand for bullocks exceeding the supply at the sales.

Medium and forward store bullocks with a premia are selling at up to €550 over €/kg for the quality continental animals with plenty of competition from farmers at the ringsides.

Some of the prices being paid for the double punched heavy bullocks are even harder to understand with up to €600 over €/kg still being paid for choice lots scaling at around 600-650kgs. The only 'envelope money' left on the backs of these animals is the €80/head slaughter premia. It does not take a lot of calculations to show that after the balances of cost versus weight gain is factored in, these animals will need to realise a factory price of at least 110p/lb for to break even.