Weanling bull prices steady

Marts: Adjustment of weanling bull prices, to take account of those not eligible for the 21-month special beef premium (SBP), has steadied in a range of 60-100 less than the earlier-born animals.

A very strong farmer trade in the marts has maintained prices at a high level when account is taken of the drop of up to 310/head in direct payments for the post May 1, 2003-born weanlings which will lose out on the second SBP, plus extensification and slaughter premium.

Applying for a bull premia on these animals if they have not been castrated instead of the nine months will recover 60/head of the deficit with the payment of 210/head for the bull premia instead of 150/head on the SBP.

Returns from marts showing a difference of 60-100/head in the price for the weanling bulls born pre and post-May 1 last are in line with the official Department of Agriculture returns which show a drop of 60/head average across all beef breed weanlings between mid-November and mid-January.

At Ennis Mart this week - with 500 weanlings/ yearlings on offer prices for post May 1 born bulls ranged 270350 over /kg compared to 380-420-over paid for the earlier born animals.

While there is no breakdown by date of birth available from Kilmallock Mart the price range of 270-430 over for the continental-breed bulls was broadly similar.

Prices at Kanturk ranged 340-425 for the continental bulls.

At Athenry Mart, where there was a bigger sale of weanlings than the previous week pre-May- born bulls sold from 300 over to 415 over.