April 30, 2021, 6:10 am
As the weeks progress in 2021, we are almost entering the month of May and the calf trade is seeing an ease back in the number of calves coming onto the scene this week it marts.
It will be interesting to see over the coming weeks if the rule of supply and demand will come into play and maintain the strong floor under calf prices which has been seen for a good proportion of the season.
In terms of the trade this week, managers are reporting very few setbacks in the prices of beef-sired calves – with only the beef calves coming from jersey cross-bred genetics and showing their true colours, stated to be back in price at some marts.
Hereford: 368kg – €810 or €2.20/kg;
Angus: 365kg – €860 or €2.35/kg;
Angus: 365kg – €840 or €2.30/kg;
Hereford: 317kg – €760 or €2.39/kg.
There were very few heavy cattle over 550kg at Dungarvan Mart this week.
Looking at the prices for the light continental store bull (under 450kg), these reached up to €2.66/kg.
Sample bullock prices:
Angus: 545kg – €1,200 or €2.20/kg;
Limousin: 505kg – €1,290 or €2.55/kg;
Hereford: 470kg – €1,060 or €2.25/kg;
Limousin: 435kg – €1,130 or €2.59/kg;
Limousin: 386kg – €1,030 or €2.66/kg;
Angus: 300kg – €700 or €2.33/kg;
Hereford: 298kg – €660 or €2.21/kg.
Adding to his comments on the trade, Ger stated: “There was an excellent trade for dry cows – with quality suckler cows making up to €2/kg.”
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The Waterford Blackface Sheep Breeders Association sale takes place at 12.30pm on Sturday 13 February.
The Waterford Blackface Sheep Breeders Association is holding a special in-lamb ewe sale of Perth-type ewes on Saturday 13 February at 12.30pm.
The sale, which takes place in Cork Marts Dungarvan sales yard, includes 35 top-quality ewes from eight breeders, ranging in age from two-year-old hoggets to three- and four-year-old ewes.
Dungarvan Mart manager Ger Flynn says the sale is taking place against a background of successful ewe lamb and ram sales held in autumn 2020, with a strong customer base expressing an appetite to get their hands on in-lamb sheep.