Lighter stores an easier trade at marts
With two-thirds of the week's kill at the factories, through reports indicate that the prices being paid are in line with the actual prices for last week, returning 235c/kg for R grade and 230c/kg for O grade.
The quoted rates at the factories were increased by 3-6c/kg for O grade, which brought them into line with the pay-sheet returns for last week (as reported in yesterday's edition).
However, the reported prices from producers to the IFA for this week show that unlike a few weeks ago, there is no top-up on the quoted rates being paid this week. The weanling trade is now in full swing, with larger numbers on offer at all centres.
The earlier expectation that weights would be down on last year because of the difficult farming season is being confirmed.
Average weights for bulls are back by 50-75kg/head. The trade eased back a little this week, but there are still strong prices being paid for the quality weanling bulls, and good shipping demand for the heifers.
The best of the bulls sold from 300 over to 450 over this week, about 10-20/head back on last week.
The best of the continental heifers are making 140 over to 160 over. The shippers are buying in the range 100 over to 150 over which appears to be the general cut-off point for their cheque books. What is becoming more obvious in the adult cattle is the widening price range between quality and the potentially poor-grading animals.
Friesian stores are being seriously discounted because of the emphasis being placed on quality at the factories, and this is a trend that will be worth watching into the autumn as larger numbers come on to the market.
The quality bullocks over 500kg with a premia were an improved trade at Kilkenny Mart yesterday.
There was a smaller sale of 660 there due to the Iverk Agricultural Show taking place at Pilltown.
Prices were up 10/head.
All other categories of store bullocks were back 10-15/head.
Beef heifers were improved by 5-10/head.
At Midleton Mart, there was a firm trade for a small supply of cattle.
Heavy bullocks single punched sold from 150 over to 266 over.
Light bullocks with both premia available made up to 310 over.
The weanling trade at Athenry Mart yesterday went contrary to the trend with prices improved by 20-30/head for the bulls and dearer by 10-15/head for heifers.
All the quality continental heifers were being purchased by the shippers paying up to 150 over.
Export certs are an essential for weanling heifers to be eligible for the export trade.
Sellers should realise that they are limiting their market opportunities without the certs.
