Weaker trade at marts for plain lots

Marts: There was a weaker trade for plain cattle at the marts yesterday where prices for some lots of plain bullocks were back €30-€50/head on two weeks ago and have become harder to sell.

Prices were maintained for the quality for which there is strong demand. Numbers of cattle on offer have begun to slip back from the seasonal peak.

There were more plain cattle on offer at some of yesterday’s sales which may have contributed to the downward pressure on prices, but the trend all season has been for the brunt of any easing in the trade to hit the plain animals first and heaviest.