Trade on the up as spring fever takes hold at marts

THERE was a lot of upward movement across the various divisions as the spring trade began to take shape across the country.

But I will get the negative news out of the way first.

The weanling heifer had a difficult time of it last week, losing ground in both the 100299kg and 300-399kg sections. Average prices fell by 7c//kg or €7-€21/hd in the lighter section, with the 300-399kg animal dropping 5c/kg or €15-20/hd. The most marked losses were among the poorer quality animals in both sections as they fell back by 9-10c/kg or from €9-€40/hd.

Part of the reason for these falls maybe to do with the strength of the weanling bull trade as buyers concentrate on getting numbers for the Turkish trade, thus turning their back slightly on the heifer.

The other loser last week was the lighter bullock, with his average price slipping in the 300-399kg section by €6-8/hd or 2c/kg. The 400-499kg animal fell by 1c/kg or by €4-5/hd.

These are not massive movements and it can be expected that they will be made back up and more besides as the spring progresses.

Indeed, the bottom quarter of the 300-399kg section actually rose by 5c/kg or from €15-20/ hd last.

Once you cross the line in the bullock table at 500kgs, prices only went one way last week and that was up. The average increase in both the 500-599kg section and the 600kg+ division was 5c/kg or €25-€30/hd. The reason for that line or division is simple: while we are seeing the start of the spring trade the number of buyers ringside has not yet reached a critical mass.

Buyers are not putting too much pressure on prices or each to the point where some will drop out of the search for the more forward store of 500kg plus — the most suitable animal for short to medium term grazing or finishing —and fall back to lighter weights.

Hence, while competition upped the prices of those 500kg+ bullocks last week, there were still enough of them around and enough still left in the price for everyone to more or less get what they wanted - albeit at that €25-30/hd more.

As the spring moves on, however, prices will inevitably rise as farmers attempt to combat that curious illness ‘spring mart fever’ with the only acceptable antidote, the purchase of cattle at ever increasing prices.