It’s all about the numbers in turbulent beef game

Charolais cattle were the top price sellers in the country’s bullock rings over the last five years, while Belgian Blues led the way in the heifer stakes. Meanwhile, average bull weanling prices are currently €200/hd lower than those paid in 2012.

These are just some of the nuggets of information to emerge from an analysis of the Ringside results since 2011.

The data looks at steer, heifer and bull weanling sales data collated since Ringside was launched.

The top prices from the overall average price tables, which include all eligible animals in each section, were assessed to identify price trends across the years.

Meanwhile, more specific details emerged around the dominant beef breeds and the returns they delivered in terms of sales prices.

The analysis looks at the relationship between mart prices and factory quotes, as well as assessing the impact of cattle numbers on the trade.

One of the most important factors in any business is the availability of raw material, thus the availability or otherwise of mart stock was a major factor in dictating prices.

In early 2012 one of the main drivers of improved prices was the fact cattle throughput at factories declined in 2011 by 4pc to 1.57m head, with prime stock (steers, heifers and young bulls) down 6pc.

Armed with this knowledge, and factory prices heading for the then unheard of price of €4/kg, mart buyers sensed potential in the beef market and reacted accordingly.

However, calve registrations in 2012 increased by 112,000 head and this increase would play a part in reversing both factory and mart prices from mid 2013 to the autumn of 2014.

The emergence of domestic bull beef production as a major player in the trade is one that continues to evolve and its success or failure in any given year is critical to overall buoyancy of the sector. Again, it’s all about numbers.